Messi Watch: Miami's Aug. 5 opener is set, but Messi's selection is not

Inter Miami's latest club update puts the Leagues Cup opener seven days away, and the club's published Phase One schedule has the details: Atlético de San Luis at Nu Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 7:30 p.m. ET. 1 2

That is Thursday, Aug. 6, at 7:30 a.m. in Asia/Shanghai. The match is a firm date for Miami's schedule. It is not yet a confirmed Lionel Messi team-sheet date.

MLS said on July 25 that clubs would set each World Cup player's rest and return-to-training and competition timeline individually. The league also confirmed that Messi would miss the July 29 All-Star Game under that agreement. 3

Inter Miami's July 30 review says Messi played all eight of Argentina's World Cup matches, finishing with eight goals and four assists. Neither that review nor the Leagues Cup countdown names him as available for Atlético de San Luis. 4

Put Aug. 6 at 7:30 a.m. Asia/Shanghai on the calendar as Miami's next major Messi-watch checkpoint. Keep the player status open until Inter Miami publishes a training, availability or matchday update. The fixture is official; Messi's return for it is still unconfirmed.