Overview
- MLS resumed its second half after the World Cup break and on Saturday the league confirmed Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul would be excused from the July 29 All‑Star Game under a prearranged agreement with the players' union.
- Messi has not rejoined Inter Miami training and was seen in Rosario over the weekend during his authorized post‑World Cup rest rather than traveling to Charlotte for the All‑Star showcase.
- Inter Miami beat CF Montréal 1-0 on July 26 without Messi as Casemiro made his MLS debut and Luis Suárez converted an 81st‑minute penalty to extend his scoring run.
- High-profile arrivals are making immediate impact across the league with Antoine Griezmann scoring on his Orlando debut while Robert Lewandowski remains scoreless after his Chicago Fire debut.
- The league's move to grant 21‑day rest for World Cup finalists follows FIFA/FIFPRO guidance and creates a short‑term tradeoff between safeguarding players' recovery and meeting commercial expectations ahead of the Leagues Cup.