Messi’s Travel Miles in 2024
In 2024, Lionel Messi’s travel schedule is nothing short of extraordinary. From playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer to representing Argentina in the Copa América, Messi is racking up the miles like never before. Let’s break down just how much ground the football legend is covering this year.
As Messi enters his first full year with Inter Miami, the challenges of playing in North America with a hectic schedule are evident. Unlike the European football calendar, which allows for some rest in the summer months, MLS runs from March to November, keeping players like Messi constantly on the move. Add in his commitments to the Argentine national team, and Messi’s travel itinerary becomes even more demanding.
Messi’s Preseason Adventures
Before the start of the MLS season, Inter Miami embarked on a preseason tour that took them across the globe. From El Salvador to Asia, the team covered nearly 24,000 miles in just 26 days. The tour was not without controversy, as Messi missed a game in Hong Kong due to injury, sparking outrage among fans and officials.
Regular Season Challenges
As the MLS season kicked off, Messi’s travels continued as Inter Miami crisscrossed the United States and Canada for matches. From short trips to nearby cities to longer flights across the country, Messi has already added over 14,000 miles to his 2024 tally in just three months. With potential trips to Canada and back for matches, Messi’s total mileage could reach an astonishing 35,000 miles if he plays every game on the schedule.
Playing for Argentina adds another layer of complexity to Messi’s travel schedule. With the Copa América being hosted in the U.S. this year, Argentina’s matches will take them up and down the East Coast, covering thousands of miles in the process. And with World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Messi’s travel commitments show no signs of slowing down.
In total, Messi could log over 87,000 miles in 2024 if he participates in every match for Inter Miami and Argentina. As the football calendar continues to expand, it’s clear that elite players like Messi are facing unprecedented travel challenges in their quest for success on the pitch.