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The MLS launched an ambitious advertising campaign during the second half of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, producing and constantly airing an advert featuring the likes of Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Kevin Durant, Son Heung-Min, and others.
The message: "We'll take it from here." For Inter Miami, the reigning MLS champions, that restart will come on Wednesday in a matchup against the Chicago Fire for Robert Lewandowski's league debut (delayed due to poor air quality).
Messi and his Argentine/Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo de Paul headed to Argentina for some much-needed rest and relaxation after a taxing World Cup run. Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyas, who is from Argentina, shared in a recent press conference that fans shouldn't expect to see thm anytime soon.
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"What they need now is resting with their loved ones," Hoyas, the fill-in coach for midseason-resignee Javier Mascherano, told reporters on Monday. "They will be there for as long as necessary."
Inter Miami sit second in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Nashville in first. Last year, the Herons made it through the conference from the third seed, forced to play a single-elimination Eastern Conference semifinal against FC Cincinnati on the road (a 4-0 Miami win).
International Players' Union FIFPRO gives World Cup players a 21-day rest period following the tournament. Messi and De Paul both featured in Argentina's 1-0 World Cup final loss to Spain on July 19.
They are allowed to take off until August 9 without punishment. meaning the Argentine duo is set to miss more than just Inter Miami's clash against Chicago.
The team takes on Montreal on Sunday before traveling to Columbus the next Saturday. Then, the North American soccer calendar shifts to Leagues Cup mode, and Miami has matchups against San Luis (August 5) and Monterrey (August 8) during the Messi and De Paul break window.
Hoyas was asked if he expects Messi back for the Leagues Cup matchup. "We’ll see," he answered.
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Messi arrived in Rosario — his hometown — on Tuesday alongside his wife, Antonela, and his three children. His family followed him across the United States for the 2026 World Cup.
Messi was the MLS's MVP a season ago and seems poised to win a third consecutive honor, entering the World Cup break with the league lead for combined goals and assists.
Across all competitions last season, Messi finished with 43 goals and 25 assists in a combined 4,157 minutes. He's on pace for slightly less in 2026.
