Messi Watch: Miami win without Messi as Suárez answers the call

Inter Miami beat Chicago Fire 3-2 in their latest MLS match, coming back from an early own goal and a second-half equalizer. Luis Suárez scored twice, from the penalty spot in the 27th minute and again in the 51st, before Preston Plambeck struck in the 87th minute for his first MLS goal. 1

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul both missed the match while taking time off after Argentina's World Cup final run. Coach Guillermo Hoyos said there is "no set return date" and that the pair should come back only when they are "truly ready, fully recovered in every aspect." 1

The win gave Inter Miami five straight victories, according to the MLS match report, while Suárez moved to eight league goals for the season. MLS then named him Player of the Matchday for Matchdays 16 and 17. His two goals also took him to 38 regular-season goals for Miami, second in club history behind Messi's 62. 2

Suárez also reached 100 appearances for Inter Miami in the Chicago match, becoming the ninth player in club history to reach that mark. 3 Casemiro, whose signing had just been made official, watched from the stands. 4

The club's official schedule next lists an away match against CF Montréal on July 25. Messi's return remains a window rather than a commitment: an earlier ESPN update placed it in late July or early August, while the latest coach comment gives no fixed date. 5 6

For now, the clearest Messi update is simple: Miami won without him, and the club is still waiting for a confirmed return date.