Lionel Messi reportedly set to return to Miami on Wednesday, but availability for Club Leon’s Leagues Cup clash remains unlikely

Lionel Messi made an emergency flight to Argentina following the passing of his father, leaving Inter Miami in the middle of their 2026 Leagues Cup campaign. Now, reports indicate that the Argentine superstar is scheduled to return to Miami on Wednesday, though his participation in the team’s group stage finale against Club Leon remains highly unlikely.

According to Argentine news outlet Todo Noticias, Messi is expected to arrive back in the United States on Wednesday. The forward will depart his hometown of Rosario in Santa Fe, Argentina, with his flight scheduled to take off at 10:30 p.m. local time.

The expectation is for Messi to arrive by Wednesday afternoon to gradually resume activities with Inter Miami. However, with the Leagues Cup matchup against Club Leon scheduled for that same night at 9:30 p.m. ET, his availability for the match remains in serious doubt.

When asked about a potential return ahead of the fixture against the Mexican side, Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos stated that he had “nothing” regarding the star’s exact timeline.

A return to South Florida alongside his family does not necessarily mean Messi will immediately rejoin squad activities. According to reports from Argentina, Inter Miami executives are granting their team captain full autonomy to manage his personal timeline before returning to the pitch.

Timeline of Messi’s time in Argentina

After receiving word of his father’s passing, Messi departed Fort Lauderdale on a private jet Saturday, August 8, landing at Islas Malvinas Airport in Fisherton before traveling directly to reunite with his brothers and close relatives. The Messi family gathered at El Prado private cemetery in Perez, a city adjacent to Rosario, to pay their final respects to Jorge Messi.

On Sunday afternoon, Messi left the memorial grounds to return to his residence in the gated community of Kentucky in Funes. Over the past several days, he has spent private time surrounded by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, their sons, and extended family.

What lies ahead for Inter Miami?

On the pitch, Inter Miami find themselves on the brink of elimination from the 2026 Leagues Cup while navigating a severe roster crunch along the frontline. Their crucial group stage match against Club Leon is set for Wednesday, August 12, and while the club are skating on thin ice in international play, the coming weeks will prove equally critical.

On Saturday, the Herons travel to GEODIS Park to square off against Nashville SC in a high-stakes clash for the top spot in the 2026 Supporters’ Shield standings. Nashville currently lead the Supporters’ Shield race with 40 points, while Inter Miami sit close behind in second place with 38 points. Following that marquee fixture, Inter Miami will remain on the road to take on the Philadelphia Union next Wednesday.