Lionel Messi returns to Inter Miami after Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final, sparking rumors of his retirement.
Published July 30, 2026
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi has returned to training with Inter Miami, 10 days after Argentina ended the World Cup with a 1-0 defeat in extra time to Spain in the final earlier this month.
The two-time MLS MVP missed the first two games for Miami after the World Cup was suspended, against Chicago and against Montreal, but his team won both games, extending their winning streak to six games.
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The 39-year-old also opted not to participate in Wednesday night’s MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game in Charlotte, instead taking some time off to visit his father Jorge, who announced during the World Cup that the Messi family was battling an undisclosed illness.
Messi ended this year’s World Cup with eight goals and four assists, sixth on his career record, one win behind leader Argentina, and the team became the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
He scored his 17th goal in the second leg against Argentina, becoming the first player to break Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goalscoring record, but French sensation Kylian Mbappé finished the World Cup one goal ahead of Messi, 22-21.
Inter Miami (11-2-4, 37 points) is two points behind Eastern Conference leader Nashville SC. It remains unclear whether Messi will return for Saturday’s home game against the Columbus Crew.
There was speculation that Messi might not only end his international career after the World Cup, but also his playing days at club level.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward won the Ballon d’Or title eight times, an annual award that recognizes the world’s best player of the year.
