Messi's busy offseason: Inter Miami will head to Japan and Apple TV reveals new docuseries

Lionel Messi’s busy 2024 gets even busier with Inter Miami adding another international friendly to its preseason tour early next year.

After playing Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, Messi and Inter Miami will visit Japan, rounding out a tour of Asia in early February.

Inter Miami will play the J1 League champions, Vissel Kobe, at the Japan National Stadium Feb. 7 in what has become a jam-packed preseason schedule for Messi.

“Tokyo is an inspiring destination with a fervent fútbol community that we’re looking forward to getting acquainted with. We’re thrilled to visit Japan as one of our stops as we continue to bring joy to our global fanbase,” Inter Miami Chief Business Officer Xavier Asensi said in a statement.

“Our aspiration remains to make our fans’ dreams come true, and we believe this match will be a fantastic occasion for them to look forward to, and a wonderful moment for our players.”

Apple TV+ announces new Messi documentary

Messi’s run at the 2022 World Cup with Argentina will be showcased in a four-part series by Apple TV+, which was announced Friday.

“Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend” will be a four-part documentary where “Messi tells the definitive story of his incredible career with the Argentina national football team, providing an intimate and unprecedented look at his quest for a legacy-defining World Cup victory,” Apple TV+ said in a press release.  

The series is set to premiere globally Feb. 21, 2024.

Inter Miami has five international preseason matches in 2024

Inter Miami will be ready for a variety of opponents before the 2024 MLS season, and likely jetlagged.

Messi and Inter Miami announced preseason games against:

∎ The El Salvador national team at the Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador on Friday, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. ET

∎ Al-Hilal on Jan. 29 and Al-Nassr (Ronaldo’s Saudi-based team) on Feb. 1 in the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia.

∎ A match in Hong Kong, where Inter Miami will face a collection of the best players from the Hong Kong First Division League Feb. 4.

∎ Vissel Kobe at the Japan National Stadium Feb. 7

Messi’s World Cup jerseys sell for $7.8 million

As Inter Miami hopes its international tour will further sales of Messi’s pink No. 10 jersey worldwide, Messi’s jerseys from his thrilling win at the Qatar World Cup last year lifted a heavy penny this week.

Six of Messi’s jerseys from the 2022 World Cup were sold at auction for $7.8 million at Sotheby, the auction house announced this week.

Messi is TIME’s 2023 Athlete of the Year

Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, added another honorable distinction to his resume earlier this month.

TIME has named Messi the 2023 Athlete of the Year, adding he is an “accelerant” to soccer’s growth in the United States, especially since Copa America in 2024, the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, and the FIFA World Cup in 2026 will be hosted in the U.S.