Lionel Messi has reportedly made the decision to fly straight back to Miami instead of returning to Argentina with the rest of the national team.
According to TyC Sports, the Inter Miami captain will return to Florida after sitting out Argentina’s second and final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier of this international break against Bolivia.
Messi has picked up a small knock that hasn’t ruled the forward out of Inter Miami’s massive MLS clash against Atlanta United this weekend, though the attacker could well start on the bench.
Inter Miami sit six points off the final playoff spot with two games to spare, and a win in Georgia against Atlanta could put Messi’s side in the perfect position to qualify for the post-season.
Indeed, Messi missing out on Argentina’s final fixture of the international break could be huge in the forward featuring in Georgia for Inter Miami this weekend.
And the attacker’s decision to fly straight back to Florida instead of returning to Argentina with the rest of the international team could hint that Messi is ready to get back to business with Inter Miami.
Messi travelling to Miami over Argentina could be huge
Messi’s professionalism is nothing short of extraordinary, with the forward’s decision to travel to Miami an example of why David Beckham and Jorge Mas pushed so hard to sign the soccer legend.
And ahead of this weekend, Messi being as fresh and fit as he can to face Atlanta could be the difference in Inter Miami making the playoffs or missing out by the slimmest of margins.
Saturday night will be massive for Inter Miami and for MLS, and if Messi features, it could be a match to remember for the Herons and for the league.