Messi and De Paul to Miss Upcoming Matches

MLS has returned, but it seems its most prominent stars won’t be gracing the field anytime soon.

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, both from Argentina and teammates at Inter Miami, will not participate in the next two matches. They’ll also miss the MLS All-Star Game scheduled for July 29, as reported by ESPN.

This means they’ll be absent from Wednesday’s clash against the Chicago Fire and Saturday’s game with CF Montreal.

Argentina recently reached the World Cup final, but they fell to Spain 1-0 at MetLife Stadium, and now, both players won’t be playing in that event.

Interestingly, FIFA and FIFPRO came to an agreement in 2025 regarding player health, establishing a mandatory 21-day rest period at the end of each season.

The organization stated, “There should be at least 72 hours of rest between matches, and players are entitled to a 21-day break at the season’s conclusion.” Each club and player will manage this time depending on their schedules and collective agreements.

ESPN added that Inter Miami is planning some time off, although it’s uncertain if Messi and De Paul will fully use the 21 days.

Both have been selected for the All-Star Game in Charlotte, marking the third time Messi has been chosen. Oddly, he has yet to participate.

Messi’s absence is a significant blow to MLS, especially if it extends beyond the upcoming games following the World Cup break. The renowned player is a massive draw, attracting sell-out crowds with his presence alone.

This situation raises missed opportunities during a World Cup season that had garnered widespread interest from sports enthusiasts in the United States.