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Lionel Messi and Argentina experienced a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup Final, and now the soccer great will be on a brief hiatus from playing for his Major League Soccer team.
While the World Cup arrives every four years, the grueling event can take a mental, physical, and emotional toll on all players involved. Most of the players play for other teams around the world on an annual basis.
In addition to Argentina, Messi plays for MLS‘s Inter Miami, which he helped win a championship in 2025. Messi was the top goalscorer and became the MLS Most Valuable Player, so his contributions are extremely significant for Inter Miami.
On Monday, ESPN reported that FIFPRO, the organization representing football players globally, called for all players to receive a 21-day rest period after each season they complete. That includes the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in which Messi played in eight games for his country, and the full 120 minutes of the final.
More news: Lionel Messi Shares Emotional Message on Painful World Cup Loss
FIFA met with FIFPRO in 2025 and, after a consensus between the two sides, released a statement stating that players should get “at least 72 hours of rest between matches” and “a rest period/holiday of at least 21 days at the end of each season.”
“This period should be managed individually by each club and the respective players also depending on their match calendars and taking into account applicable collective agreements,” FIFA stated.
As part of that, Messi and his Argentina teammate, Rodrigo De Paul, will both miss two games for their MLS team, Inter Miami, ESPN reported that sources informed them on Monday.
As of this writing, Inter Miami is second in the table behind Nashville SC after playing 15 matches this season, with nine wins, four draws, and two losses. They last played against the Philadelphia Union in late May, recording a 6-4 win, with De Paul among Inter Miami’s goal scorers.
Messi has 12 goals and eight assists in 14 appearances for Inter Miami this season, so he’s a major part of the club, much like he is with Argentina. He recorded eight goals in the recent World Cup, bringing his career goals at the event to 21, which is second only to France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has 22.
Throughout his minutes logged at this year’s event, Messi also had four assists, including several massive assists to teammates in a late semifinal win over England. A break is definitely necessary after he gave the World Cup his all.
The 39-year-old has yet to announce the official end to his international career, but that could be on the way at some point. Meanwhile, Messi will take some time to rest, recover, and reflect after a difficult loss in the final.
More news: Carli Lloyd Calls Lamine Yamal ‘Average’ After Spain’s World Cup Win
For more about the World Cup, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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