Lionel Messi will not feature for Inter Miami in their upcoming fixtures as the club navigates his extended absence following the World Cup.
ESPN reported that Messi will miss Inter Miami’s matches against Chicago Fire on Wednesday, July 22 and CF Montréal on Saturday, July 25.
MLS resumed its season on July 16, meaning Inter Miami must manage without their star player during a critical stretch of fixtures.
World Cup players are typically granted time off before returning to their clubs, and that standard arrangement applies to Messi following Argentina’s tournament run.
While it is possible Messi could return earlier than the 21-day timeline, it is considered unlikely given the personal circumstances surrounding his family.
Messi is expected to travel back to Argentina to be with his father, Jorge, who has been dealing with a health-related issue during the World Cup.
“The Messi family informs that Jorge is going through a health-related situation,” the family said in a statement on June 18.
The emotional weight of the tournament loss compounds an already difficult period for Messi, who is yet to confirm any plans regarding his professional future.
He posted on Instagram on Monday, July 20, marking his first public comments since Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final the day before.
Messi delivered a raw and honest message to his followers, making clear just how deeply the defeat affected him personally.
“The pain is huge, and this wound will take time to heal,” Messi wrote in the post.
He scored eight goals across eight matches at the World Cup, finishing as runner-up to Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.
Clubs traditionally allow veterans who have carried a heavy tournament workload several weeks, and sometimes up to a month, to recover fully before returning.
Everything at Inter Miami revolves around Messi, and the club must resist any temptation to rush him back before he is physically and emotionally ready.
If Messi returns healthy and refreshed, Inter Miami remain strong contenders, but a prolonged absence could significantly complicate the remainder of their season.
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