Argentina captain Lionel Messi is going to return to the field after resting after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He will be seen in competitive soccer for the first time since the World Cup in an Inter Miami jersey against the Columbus Crew on Sunday (August 2) in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Messi joined Inter Miami training on Friday (July 31). Argentina national team teammate and new addition to the club, Rodrigo de Paul, returned to training with him. Both have been named in the squad for the upcoming matches.
Before the match against Columbus Crew, Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos said that Messi and De Paul have just joined the team. So the final decision about their game has not been made yet.
He said, "Messi returned to the team a short time ago. Therefore, there is no opportunity to discuss in detail whether he will play or not. But we are very happy to have both Messi and De Paul back.'
Meanwhile, Inter Miami are in great form without Messi. In this season, the team collected 37 points in 17 matches with 12 wins and one draw. They will enter the field with the goal of winning the seventh consecutive time, keeping the series of consecutive wins that started from last May 9.
Inter Miami, who won the 2024 Supporters' Shield, are in a strong position in the MLS title race this time as well. Miami is just two points behind Nashville SC at the top of the points table. As a result, Messi's comeback match has become important not only for the fans but also for the title race.
After the World Cup, Messi's return to the field has created extra excitement among football fans. Now it remains to be seen how much impact the Argentine superstar can have in the return match.
