# River to host Messi's Inter Miami in January friendly

> River Plate has arranged a preseason match against Inter Miami on January 19, 2027 at the Monumental, marking Messi's return to the stadium where he played his final Argentina match.
- Title: River to host Messi's Inter Miami in January friendly
- Summary: River Plate has arranged a preseason match against Inter Miami on January 19, 2027 at the Monumental, marking Messi's return to the stadium where he played…
- Keywords: river plate, inter miami, lionel messi, monumental, friendly match, preseason, argentina, mls, LA NACION
- Source: LA NACION — https://lanacion.com.ar/deportes/river-tendria-acordado-un-amistoso-con-el-inter-miami-de-messi-en-el-monumental-nid07112026
- Author: LA NACION
- Published: 2026-11-07T06:05:40.405+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: river plate, inter miami, lionel messi, monumental, friendly match, preseason, argentina, mls, news, politics
## River arranges Inter Miami friendly
River Plate has arranged a preseason friendly against Inter Miami for Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at the Monumental stadium, according to LA NACION.
## Messi returns to his farewell ground
The match marks Lionel Messi's return to the Monumental, where he played his final match for Argentina against Benin on October 6. River honoured him as a member of honour.
## Second meeting between Messi and River
Messi will face River for the second time. Their first encounter was at the 2015 Club World Cup in Japan, when Barcelona beat River three to zero.
## River's honour for Messi
River president Stefano Di Carlo presented Messi with an honorary membership card inscribed ARG1812022, referencing December 18, 2022, the date of Argentina's World Cup final victory.
## Messi chases consecutive MLS scoring titles
Messi has 26 goals in 30 matches this season, four more than second-place Petar Musa of FC Dallas. He is on course to become the first player to win two consecutive MLS scoring titles.
## Messi eyes third MVP award
With 14 assists in 30 matches, Messi is the leading candidate for the 2026 MLS Most Valuable Player award.
## Inter Miami's playoff push continues
Inter Miami has secured playoff qualification and home advantage in the first round. The team plays Charlotte FC on Saturday in the final regular season match to preserve second place in the Eastern Conference.
## Messi to honour Tévez before River match
Before the January friendly with River, Messi will play in a tribute match for Carlos Tévez at La Bombonera in December. The Inter Miami match will be the club's first game on Argentine soil.
## Key takeaway

River Plate will host Inter Miami in a friendly on January 19, 2027 at the Monumental, bringing Lionel Messi back to the stadium where he played his last match for Argentina.