Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will reportedly miss at least the next two Inter Miami matches and likely the MLS All-Star Game following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

Inter Miami resumes its season on Wednesday at home against Chicago before traveling to Montreal for a match on Saturday. The duo will be given time off, as per a 2025 agreement between FIFPRO, the global representative organization of players, and FIFA, which stipulates players must receive 21 days off at the end of their seasons.

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Messi and De Paul participated in Argentina’s run to Sunday’s World Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to Spain.

While there is a chance Messi and De Paul may return to Inter Miami before the three-week rest period concludes, they will reportedly not attend next week’s MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte. Both players were named to the squad that will face a Liga MX best XI, with Messi receiving a fan vote and De Paul being a coach’s selection.

Since joining MLS, Messi has not participated in an All-Star Game after injuring his ankle during Copa América in 2024 and opting for rest instead of playing in last season’s match.

Last year’s absence caused Messi and then-Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba to receive a one-game suspension according to league rules.

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During the World Cup, Messi finished second in the Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists. This was Messi’s third World Cup final with Argentina, marking the second consecutive final after La Albiceleste won in 2022.

Messi expressed his gratitude to Argentina fans and teammates while also congratulating Spain in a message posted to Instagram on Monday.

“The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal. But I also choose to hold on to all the good things … the matches we played, giving everything we had, will stay in our memories forever. With the support of an entire country, together with the hard work and effort of this group, we once again managed to be among the best teams in the world.

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“Today it’s difficult to fully appreciate what we achieved, but this team reached two consecutive World Cup finals. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and every message. Once again, we came together as a country, united by immense pride of being Argentine. I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.”

For Inter Miami this season, Messi has scored 12 times in 14 matches, ranking him second in MLS.