Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will take a planned hiatus from Inter Miami after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, with FIFA and FIFPRO backing a rest protocol that requires at least 72 hours between matches and a 21-day holiday at the end of the season. The rest period is to be managed by each club and player calendars, and it could see Messi and De Paul unavailable for several early MLS games and the July 29 MLS All-Star Game. Inter Miami has indicated the pair will miss matches against the Chicago Fire and CF Montréal, and their absence could extend into additional fixtures as they observe the rest window. Messi has tallied 12 goals and eight assists in 14 appearances this season, contributing to Miami’s success and the 2025 MLS title. The rest decision is coordinated with Inter Miami and MLS, underscoring the balance between elite competition and player recovery and potentially limiting participation in marquee events like the All-Star Game.