Messi and De Paul to miss two MLS matches after World Cup final

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will miss Inter Miami CF's next two MLS matches after playing in Argentina's 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the World Cup final, sources told ESPN. Messi played all 120 minutes of the final and started each of Argentina's eight matches at the tournament.

The absences cover Inter Miami's game against Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday and the match against CF Montréal on Saturday.

Inter Miami has informed MLS that both players will also be unavailable for the All-Star game on July 29, which falls inside the recommended rest window. Messi and De Paul were selected to the MLS All-Star roster. FIFPRO has pushed for a mandatory 21-day rest period at the end of each season on health grounds.

FIFA reviewed the proposal in 2025 meetings with player unions and reached consensus that players should receive at least 72 hours between matches and a 21-day rest or holiday after the season. The period is to be arranged individually between clubs and players based on schedules and collective agreements. It is not yet clear whether Messi and De Paul will observe the full 21 days.

The players will coordinate their time off directly with Inter Miami. Messi finished the World Cup with eight goals and four assists, placing second in the Golden Boot race behind Kylian Mbappé's 10 goals. He reached 125 career international goals and became the first player to start three World Cup finals.

"The pain is immense and it will take time for this wound to heal," Messi wrote on social media Monday. "But I also cherish all the good.