Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will reportedly miss at least the next two Inter Miami matches and likely the MLS All-Star Game following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.
Inter Miami resumes its season on Wednesday at home against Chicago before traveling to Montreal for a match on Saturday. The duo will be give time off, as per a 2025 agreement between FIFPRO, the global representative organization of players, and FIFA, that stated players are required to get 21 days off at the end of their seasons.
Messi and De Paul were involved in Argentina's run to Sunday's World Cup final, which saw them fall 1-0 to Spain.
While there is a chance Messi and De Paul return to Inter Miami before the three-week rest period is up, they will reportedly not be in attendance at next week's MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte. Both players were named to the squad that will face a Liga MX best XI. Messi was voted in, while De Paul was a coach's selection.
Since joining MLS, Messi has not taken part in an All-Star Game after injuring his ankle during Copa América in 2024 and then using the time off to rest instead of playing in last season's game.

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