Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul Rejoin Inter Miami After 120-Minute World Cup Final

Argentina internationals Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul have officially reported back to Inter Miami training following their July 19 championship appearance in New Jersey.

Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos confirmed on Friday that Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul have officially resumed training at the club’s facility. This return follows their participation in the 2026 World Cup final held in New Jersey on July 19, where Argentina faced Spain. Messi played the full 120 minutes of that championship match, capping off a tournament performance that included eight goals and four assists. De Paul contributed 70 minutes of play in the same fixture before both athletes were granted a period of rest by the South Florida organization.

Key details

During their absence from the squad, the duo missed two specific Major League Soccer matches against Chicago Fire FC and CF Montréal. Although they are now back on the grass, Hoyos has refrained from setting a concrete timeline for their re-entry into the starting lineup. The manager indicated that while the players are physically present, he has not yet conducted a formal assessment or a detailed conversation regarding their readiness for the upcoming weekend fixture. Inter Miami is currently preparing to host the Columbus Crew at Nu Stadium this Saturday.

Both Messi and De Paul were previously selected for the MLS All-Star roster but were excused from the event without facing any league-mandated penalties. Their reintegration comes at a critical juncture as the club transitions from regular-season play into the Leagues Cup. The Herons are scheduled to open their tournament campaign on August 5 against Mexican side Atlético San Luis. This competition holds historical weight for the franchise, which secured the trophy in 2023 before falling to Seattle Sounders FC in the 2025 final.

Hoyos described the current phase of the season as a "heavy match load," noting that the sheer volume of games will test the physical endurance of the entire roster. The coaching staff is monitoring the recovery of the international pair closely, given the high intensity of the 120-minute final in New Jersey. The manager characterized the upcoming schedule as a grueling cycle where recovery time is minimal between competitive outings. He emphasized that the mental and physical toll of such a congested calendar is a significant factor in his selection process.

Latest developments

Argentina’s journey to the July 19 final marked the second consecutive time Messi has reached the pinnacle of the international game. His eight-goal tally in the 2026 edition solidified his status as the tournament's primary offensive catalyst. Despite these accolades, the focus at the Fort Lauderdale training ground remains on the immediate needs of the MLS standings. The club must balance the desire to field its marquee stars with the necessity of preventing fatigue-related injuries during the San Luis clash and subsequent knockout rounds.

The transition from the international stage back to domestic duties involves a complex acclimatization process. Hoyos noted that the players only recently stepped back onto the training pitch, making a Saturday appearance against Columbus a matter of ongoing evaluation. The technical staff is prioritizing a long-term view of the season, especially with the Leagues Cup offering a direct path to continental qualification. The 2025 runner-up finish serves as a motivator for the squad to improve upon their previous performance in the tournament.

As the team prepares for the August 5 kickoff, the presence of De Paul adds a different tactical dimension to the midfield that was missing during the recent losses of points in league play. His 70-minute shift in the final demonstrated his fitness levels prior to the break. The coaching staff will continue to analyze data from GPS tracking and heart rate monitors to determine when the World Cup veterans can handle a full 90-minute workload. For now, the focus remains on the daily sessions at the training center as the club navigates a summer defined by high-stakes international and domestic football.