When we talk about jam-packed schedules and exhausting travel itineraries, few athletes come to mind as quickly as Lionel Messi in the year 2024. As he embarks on his first full season with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) and takes on international duties with the Argentine national team, Messi’s calendar is nothing short of dizzying.
Before the start of the MLS season, Inter Miami undertook a preseason tour that saw them cover nearly the circumference of the earth. Traveling through seven games in five different countries on two continents, the team’s odyssey totalled almost 24,000 miles. The controversy surrounding Messi’s absence during a match in Hong Kong due to an injury added another layer of complexity to their already strenuous tour.
Continuous Travel Across North America
As part of the MLS schedule, Inter Miami’s travel across the United States and Canada presents its own set of challenges. From short trips between stadiums to cross-country flights, Messi has already accumulated over 14,000 miles in just three months of the season. Despite missing several games due to injuries or rest, his travel tally continues to rise.
International Responsibilities with Argentina
In addition to his club commitments, Messi is gearing up to represent Argentina in the Copa América hosted in the United States. Defending their continental crown adds another dimension to Messi’s already busy schedule. The potential for back-to-back Copa América titles for Argentina, followed by World Cup qualifiers, means more miles and more time spent away from home for the soccer superstar.
Looking ahead, with the expansion of tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup, elite players like Messi may face even more rigorous schedules in the future. As he continues to rack up impressive statistics on the field and cover vast distances off it, there is a growing awareness of the toll that such demanding calendars can take on athletes.
While Lionel Messi’s 2024 schedule presents unparalleled challenges and opportunities for triumph, it also sheds light on the evolving landscape of professional soccer and the physical demands placed on its top performers. As fans eagerly watch Messi’s every move on and off the field, it remains to be seen how he will navigate the rest of the year, maintain his peak performance levels, and set new milestones in the world of soccer.
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