Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will miss several upcoming matches for Inter Miami in the MLS regular season, according to ESPN. The duo will definitely miss matches against Chicago Fire FC and CF Montréal, and are also expected to miss the MLS All-Star game on July 29. If they take the full three weeks of rest, they would not return until an August 12 Leagues Cup matchup against León.
Messi and De Paul have not featured in Inter Miami’s league wins over the Chicago Fire or CF Montreal since the World Cup. Inter Miami has won three straight against Montreal, with their most recent victory coming courtesy of a Luis Suárez penalty kick in a 1-0 win over CF Montreal. Suárez scored in the 81st minute after Germán Berterame was fouled and taken away in an ambulance.
The MLS has announced that Messi will escape a suspension for missing the MLS All-Star Game, citing an agreement between the league and the MLS Players Association that allows for individual conversations between clubs and players to determine rest and return to training timelines after the World Cup. As a result, Messi and De Paul will be excused from participating in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.
