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Lionel Messi has returned to training with Inter Miami following Argentina’s run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, but the club is yet to decide when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will make his competitive return.Head coach Guillermo Hoyos confirmed that Messi is back with the squad after his post-World Cup break, though discussions over his return to action are still ongoing as Inter Miami carefully manage the workload of their captain ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
Messi back with squad after World Cup break
Messi and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul resumed training with Inter Miami this week after representing their country in the World Cup final against Spain on July 19 in New Jersey. The pair returned to training with the team on Friday for the first time since the Major League Soccer season resumed and have been included in the squad pool for Saturday night’s home match against Columbus Crew. However, head coach Hoyos said no final decision has been made on whether either player will feature, with their involvement to be determined closer to kick-off.“We’ve been talking, in that regard. He only just got back. We haven’t really had the chance to have a proper conversation yet,” Hoyos told reporters on Friday.“We’re genuinely happy that they’ve returned and are back at the club. It’s great to see them here.”
No return date confirmed
Messi has not featured in Inter Miami’s MLS victories over the Chicago Fire and CF Montréal since returning from international duty.The 39-year-old also missed the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, although, unlike last season, he will not face disciplinary action for his absence.Major League Soccer confirmed that, before the start of the 2026 season, the league and the MLS Players Association agreed that every player returning from the FIFA World Cup would have an individual recovery plan determined by their club.“Prior to the start of the 2026 season, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association agreed that upon a player’s exit from the World Cup competition, clubs would have individual conversations with each player to determine the appropriate rest and return to training and competition timeline,” MLS said in a statement.“Consistent with that agreement, Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi will be excused from participating in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.”The revised policy comes a year after Messi received a one-match suspension for missing the All-Star fixture, a punishment Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas had described at the time as “draconian” and one that left the Argentine “extremely upset.”
Heavy schedule awaits Inter Miami
Inter Miami now face a packed fixture list as they balance MLS commitments with the Leagues Cup.The club host the Columbus Crew on Saturday night before beginning their Leagues Cup campaign against Atlético San Luis on August 5, leaving Hoyos with important decisions over when to reintroduce Messi to competitive football.Recently signed Brazilian star Casemiro is also set to feature in his first home appearance after making his club debut in Inter Miami’s 1-0 win at Montreal last Saturday, a match decided by Luis Suárez’s winning goal.Suárez has continued his strong form, scoring three goals in two matches since the World Cup break and six in Inter Miami’s last three games.“I think it’s very tough, simply because of the sheer volume of matches, there’s going to be a real congestion of games over several weeks, leaving very little time to catch your breath or rest,” Hoyos said.“It’s basically just: match, game, rest, game, and so on. It’s difficult; the match load is heavy and takes a real toll, competition itself is draining.”
World Cup campaign followed by mandatory rest
Messi enjoyed another outstanding World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing four assists as Argentina reached a second successive World Cup final.He completed the full 120 minutes of the final against Spain, while De Paul played 70 minutes before both players were granted time off after the tournament.Their recovery period also aligns with the agreement reached last year between FIFA and FIFPRO, which introduced a mandatory 21-day rest period for players at the conclusion of each season.For now, Messi is back on the training pitch, and with both he and De Paul now available for selection, Inter Miami could see their captain return to action as early as Saturday night.
