"The World Cup only ended a few hours ago. What he needs most right now is to rest and spend time with his loved ones at home." Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos said it plainly — and he's right. The problem is, Miami fans don't want plainly. They want Messi.
The wait is going to be longer than some supporters hoped. FIFA and FIFPRO rules mandate a 21-day rest period for all World Cup participants after their tournament ends. For Messi, that window puts August 9 as the earliest possible return date. And that's if Inter Miami push for it — Hoyos has made clear the club will give him "as long as he needs."
The MLS All-Star game is already gone
The most immediate casualty of the calendar is the MLS All-Star game on July 29. Messi won't be there. It falls squarely inside the mandatory rest window, which removes any debate about whether he'd feature.
Beyond that, the knock-on effects for Inter Miami's season are worth watching. Every game without Messi is a different proposition for a side that has built its entire identity — and its TV deals, its sponsorships, its ticket sales — around him being on the pitch. His absence doesn't just affect results. It affects the club's commercial picture too.
Early to mid August is the working estimate, with no firm date confirmed. Hoyos isn't putting a number on it, and Inter Miami aren't rushing him. What that means for their MLS position and playoff push depends entirely on how quickly he hits form once he returns — and at 37, recovery timelines aren't what they were five years ago.
For now, the trophy is packed away. Messi is resting. August 9 is circled on the calendar in pencil, not ink.
