Messi to return to Buenos Aires for Inter Miami friendly against River Plate

Lionel Messi is set to return to Buenos Aires in January 2027 when Inter Miami face River Plate in a friendly at the Monumental.

The match will be played on 19 January 2027 as both clubs prepare for the new season. It will mark Messi’s return to the stadium three months after his emotional farewell to the Argentina national team there.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, the Argentina captain will once again appear at one of the most significant venues of his career. The Monumental hosted his final match for the national side, against Benin, when he scored.

The fixture brings together two institutions that have expanded significantly in recent years, both on and off the pitch. An official statement described the meeting as “a celebration of the growth and international reach of both institutions”.

It added: “The match also represents a meeting point between two projects which, each from their own position, have helped broaden football’s horizons and strengthen communities comprising millions of fans around the world.”

The game is expected to feature several prominent names from international football. Messi will be joined by Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez, while River Plate’s Nicolas Otamendi and Casemiro are also among the players expected to attract attention.

Other players with experience in the Spanish league, including Montiel, Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Correa, are also expected to be involved. However, the focus will centre on Messi as he steps on to the Monumental pitch once more.

His appearance will carry particular significance because of the stadium’s place in his Argentina career. The venue has hosted several important moments in his time with the national team and will provide thousands of supporters with another opportunity to watch him play in Buenos Aires.

The event will be organised by COC Global, which will oversee its production and overall co-ordination. Organisers said the initiative would seek to offer “an experience that goes beyond the 90 minutes of the match by combining the sporting spectacle with a range of activities designed for supporters of both clubs”.

Further information about the organisation of the event, ticket sales and the accompanying activities is expected to be announced through the official channels of Inter Miami and River Plate in the coming period.