With the World Cup<\/a> now in the rearview, the 2026 MLS season is free to resume across the United States and Canada. Inter Miami return to action against Chicago Fire just three days after Messi and De Paul competed against La Roja. <\/p>\n ESPN<\/a> report the two superstars will not play against Chicago Fire on Wednesday or CF Montr\u00e9al on Sunday. It\u2019s no surprise given the minutes both players logged on the world stage, but the Herons will miss both tremendously. Messi, in particular, scored eight goals this summer and picked up the Silver Ball and Silver Boot<\/a> at age 39. <\/p>\n Inter Miami will want Messi and De Paul back in pink shirts as soon as possible, but they might have to survive more than just two games without the two starters. <\/p>\n The Inter Miami Matches Messi, De Paul Could Miss Lionel Messi could miss at least five games for Inter Miami. | Chandan Khanna\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n In addition to missing Inter Miami\u2019s two upcoming matches, Messi and De Paul could be unavailable until mid August. FIFPRO, the players\u2019 union, and FIFA previously came to an agreement that players should have a 21-day rest period at the end of each season for proper recovery. <\/p>\n Messi and De Paul are therefore allotted three weeks off following the World Cup before they must return to domestic duties with Inter Miami<\/a>. The players nor the club have confirmed whether the two Argentines will take the full rest period, but if they did, they would miss the following matches:<\/p>\n Date<\/p>\n Opponent <\/p>\n Competition<\/p>\n July 22<\/p>\n Chicago Fire<\/p>\n MLS<\/p>\n July 25<\/p>\n CF Montr\u00e9al<\/p>\n MLS<\/p>\n Aug. 1<\/p>\n Columbus Crew<\/p>\n MLS<\/p>\n Aug. 5<\/p>\n Atl\u00e9tico de San Luis<\/p>\n Leagues Cup<\/p>\n Aug. 8<\/p>\n Monterrey<\/p>\n Leagues Cup<\/p>\n Not only would Inter Miami be without two of their most important players for three MLS<\/a> matches, but they would also miss Messi and De Paul for the start of this summer\u2019s Leagues Cup. <\/p>\n Should the two players be gone for the full three weeks, they would not return until the Herons take on Club Le\u00f3n on Wednesday, Aug. 12. <\/p>\n Will Messi, De Paul Feature in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game? Rodrigo De Paul (left) and Lionel Messi were chosen to represent MLS in this year\u2019s All-Star game. | Leonardo Fernandez\/MLS\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Lionel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01ky2jhwfgqv9zhte28c.jpg\" "\\"Lionel")
<\/p>\n![\"Rodrigo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01ky2gf38cgvyjpgp15z.jpg\" "\\"Rodrigo")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google