There is no definite date for Messi to play again for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi has not appeared for Inter Miami since returning from the 2026 World Cup (Instagram/@intermiamicf).

JAKARTA - Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said he would hold talks about Lionel Messi's return to the field after his participation in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina.

Messi and Rodrigo De Paul have indeed returned to training with Inter Miami this week after appearing in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain on July 19, 2026 in New Jersey.

"We've talked about it. He's just back. We haven't really had the opportunity to have the right conversation."

"We are very happy that they have returned and are at the club. It's nice to see them here," Hoyos said on Friday, July 31, 2026, local time.

Messi scored eight goals and four assists at the 2026 World Cup to lead Argentina to the final for the second time in a row. He played for 120 minutes, while De Paul played for 70 minutes.

Messi and De Paul took a few days off after the final, missing Inter Miami's matches against Chicago Fire FC and CF Montreal.

Both players were also released without penalty from the MLS All Star game after being selected for the player list.

Inter Miami are scheduled to host Columbus Crew at Nu Stadium on Sunday, August 2, 2026, WIB morning, before preparing to compete in the Leagues Cup on August 5, 2026 against Atletico San Luis.

Hoyos stressed that the schedule would be difficult in the next few weeks due to the large number of matches between the two competitions.

"I think it's very difficult, just because of the amount of games, there's going to be a real density of games over a few weeks, leaving little time to rest."

"Basically it's just matches, rest, matches, and so on. It's hard, the load of the matches is very heavy and very tiring, the competition itself is very exhausting," said Hoyos.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup and reached the 2025 final before losing to Seattle Sounders FC.