Messi rested for Montreal match; no injury

Lionel Messi is not playing vs Montreal due to a mandatory rest period agreed by FIFA and FIFPRO.

Messi played all 120 minutes in Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, starting all eight matches.

The rest period mandates at least 21 days of holiday and 72 hours between matches after the season ends.

Inter Miami is in second place in the MLS Eastern Conference with a 9-2-4 record, five points behind Nashville SC.

Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will also miss the Chicago Fire match on July 22.