Crew fans may get to see Columbus face Argentina winger and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi on Aug. 1.
On July 30, ESPN reported that Messi was back at practice for his first club-related activities since returning from the 2026 World Cup. It remains to be seen when Messi will return to competitive action, according to the report.
An MLS All-Star, Messi missed two regular-season games for Miami against the Chicago Fire on July 22 and Montreal on July 25. He also did not appear during MLS’ All-Star week or in the game itself on July 30.
At age 39, Messi appeared in all eight games during his expected final World Cup, including 120 minutes in Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain. He scored eight goals in the tournament, second to France’s Kylian Mbappe’s 10.
Will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami against the Columbus Crew?
The Crew matchup is the last of Miami’s three regular-season games before opening Leagues Cup action against Atletico San Luis on Aug. 5. Additionally, the game falls within the 21-day rest period FIFA and FIFPRO, the worldwide representative organization for professional footballers, have agreed upon for players at the end of a season.
“There is a consensus that there must be at least 72 hours of rest between matches, and that players should have a rest period/holiday of at least 21 days at the end of each season,” FIFA said in a statement. “This period should be managed individually by each club and the respective players also depending on their match calendars and taking into account applicable collective agreements.”
The rest period, however, is optional for Messi, not mandated.
Messi has missed multiple matchups against the Crew due to international play since arriving in MLS in 2023.
During the 2024 regular season, Messi missed a 2-1 victory over the Crew, as he had already joined Argentina’s national camp for Copa America. Messi was then out for a 3-2 loss to Columbus in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 after suffering an ankle injury in the Copa America final.
In three games against the Crew, Messi has recorded three goals and three assists.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Will Messi face the Crew? Latest update after Inter Miami star returns
Reporting by Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
