Podcast: Will Messi vs. Ronaldo ‘Last Dance’ happen? Plus Inter Miami’s preseason outlook

The 2023 MLS season was barely over for Inter Miami when rumors and reports began swirling as to what was next for the club and Lionel Messi.

The China trip never materialized, but a report surfaced this week that Messi and Co. would travel to Saudi Arabia for an exhibition game in February against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al-Nassr. The club refuted the report on Tuesday, but what a dream match it would be as the report already labeled the event between the two megastars’ as their “Last Dance.”

Inside Inter Miami’s hosts - Miami Herald Sportswriter Michelle Kaufman and Deputy Sports Editor Andre Fernandez discuss the team’s potential international tour and what form it could take with preseason training set to start Jan. 10.

▪ We also look at the wild events on and off the field from the Messi-led Argentina victory over Brazil on Tuesday night in a World Cup qualifier. Messi and his countrymen made history, but the match was marred by a brawl in the stands that got ugly, leading to Argentine players trying to diffuse the situation. Messi also apparently suffered what was described as a groin injury.

▪ Kaufman talks about Inter Miami sporting director Chris Henderson’s recent season-ending press conference where he discussed roster plans/needs for 2024.

▪ And it’s the 2024 Copa America final is coming to Hard Rock Stadium on July 14. That is HUGE NEWS! We discuss what a big deal this is both on the field and off the field as a potential test run for Miami before it becomes a World Cup host site in 2026.

Remember, you can watch this show on YouTube and on our site at miamiherald.com. The podcast is available on Spotify, iTunes and most other platforms where you listen to your pods. Thank you for watching and listening, and enjoy!