Lionel Messi returns to Inter Miami training after the World Cup

Messi trains with Inter Miami for the first time since World Cup final

Argentine star Lionel Messi began training with Inter Miami after a 10-day break following the World Cup final defeat. Messi missed the first two MLS matches and the All-Star game during this period.

Scraper SystemJuly 30, 2026, 10:36 AM

Messi trains with Inter Miami for the first time since World Cup final

Lionel Messi returned to training with Inter Miami ten days after Argentina's 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. The 39-year-old star had missed the MLS matches against Chicago and Montreal.

In Messi's absence, Inter Miami won both matches to extend their winning streak to six games. The star footballer also did not participate in the MLS-Liga MX All-Star Game held in Charlotte. Messi spent this time visiting his father Jorge. The Messi family had announced during the World Cup that Jorge was battling an undisclosed illness.

Messi, who completed a record sixth World Cup, finished the tournament with 8 goals and 4 assists. Argentina came within one win of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.

Messi became the first player to break Miroslav Klose's World Cup goal record with his 17th goal in the second match of the tournament. However, French star Kylian Mbappe finished the tournament with 22 goals, one ahead of Messi.

Inter Miami (11-2-4, 37 points) sits second in the Eastern Conference standings, two points behind Nashville SC. It is not yet clear whether Messi's return to the pitch will take place in Saturday's home match against Columbus Crew.

Following the World Cup, there had been speculation that Messi might end not only his international career but also his club-level football career. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has won the Ballon d'Or, awarded to the world's best player, eight times.