Apple TV and Major League Soccer to debut 'Player Spotlight' on TikTok for Inter Miami star Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is set to make his MLS postseason debut with Inter Miami after narrowly missing it last season. With heavy anticipation towards the eight-time Ballon D'Or winner's first playoff game, the league and main streamer Apple TV will be providing exclusive behind-the-scene access via TikTok.

During the matches, the camera will be focused on Messi on the pitch. The Player Spotlight stream will live exclusively on the @MLS TikTok account and simulcast on the @InterMiamiCF TikTok account, beginning five minutes before kickoff. This will mark the first time TikTok has streamed an entire live soccer match with a single player focus.

MLS is going all in on Messi's first postseason match.

The match was placed ahead of the rest of the first round playoff matches on Friday and the Apple TV coverage will be shown in Times Square in New York City. Inter Miami are the odds-on favorite to win the MLS Cup.

"With over 13 million posts using #soccer, and nearly seven million posts occurring in 2024 alone, the global soccer community on TikTok is incredibly passionate and engaged," MLS said in a statement. "@MLS has the largest international audience across North American sports leagues on the platform, with 65 percent of fans outside the US, and account engagements up 194 percent. With the Player Spotlight featuring Lionel Messi, fans will enjoy an unparalleled viewing experience that brings them closer to the action than ever before."

Messi and Inter Miami await the winner of the CF Montreal vs. Atlanta United on Oct. 22. Fans can register to join the TikTok stream to exclusively watch Messi here.