Messi Watch: Miami stay No. 1 as Aug. 5 return remains a forecast

Inter Miami are No. 1 in the latest MLS Power Rankings after six straight wins, including a 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire and a 1-0 win at CF Montreal. The run has continued without Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, who are resting after Argentina's eight-match World Cup campaign. 1

That gives Miami a strong league position while Messi remains away from club action. It does not, however, tell us when he will return.

Messi is excused from the July 29 MLS All-Star Game under the league's post-World Cup rest and return-to-competition agreement. Miami's next club checkpoint is the home match against Columbus Crew on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m. ET, which is Sunday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 a.m. in Asia/Shanghai. The Columbus match is a date to monitor, not a confirmed comeback. 2 3

A July 28 Miami Herald update also described Messi as away on vacation and noted that he will not be fined or suspended for missing the All-Star event. It did not provide an official club return date. 4

MARCA's latest return-watch report points to Aug. 5 against Atletico de San Luis in the Leagues Cup as the most likely first appearance. It lists Aug. 8 against Monterrey and Aug. 12 against Club Leon as later possibilities if the rest period runs longer. Those dates are an outlet forecast based on recovery and coaching decisions, not a confirmed Inter Miami lineup announcement. 5

For now, the clean read is simple: Miami are winning without their captain, Messi's All-Star absence is settled, and the next reliable signal will come from an official training or matchday update rather than a projected date.