Lionel Messi returns to Inter Miami after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain, which led to retirement rumours.
Published On 30 Jul 2026
Football superstar Lionel Messi has returned to practice for Inter Miami, 10 days after Argentina’s World Cup run ended with a 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the final earlier this month.
The two-time defending MLS MVP missed Miami’s first two matches after the World Cup break against Chicago and Montreal, both of which the team still won, extending its winning streak to six matches.
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The 39-year-old also chose not to participate in Wednesday night’s MLS against Liga MX All-Star Game in Charlotte, instead taking some time off to visit his father, Jorge, who the Messi family announced during the World Cup is battling an undisclosed illness.
Messi concluded this year’s World Cup, his record sixth, with eight goals and four assists, coming one win away from leading Argentina to be the first team to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
He was the first player to break Miroslav Klose’s record for career World Cup goals with his 17th in Argentina’s second match, but French sensation Kylian Mbappe finished the World Cup one goal ahead of Messi, 22 to 21.
Inter Miami (11-2-4, 37 points) is two points behind Nashville SC atop the Eastern Conference standings. It is not yet known if Messi’s return will come in Saturday’s home match against the Columbus Crew.
There had been some speculation that Messi would not only conclude his international career following the World Cup, but that he may also call time on his playing days at club level.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has won eight Ballon d’Or titles, the annual award for the player voted the best in the world that year.
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