Lionel Messi’s return date to Inter Miami remains unclear as Guillermo Hoyos gives no update

Guillermo Hoyos addressed Lionel Messi‘s situation directly when asked about it in a press conference, offering a raw and honest response about the pain surrounding his captain’s absence. “We know what happened with Leo, and it’s a very deep pain — we’ve suffered a lot because of it,” the Inter Miami coach said.

When the reporter followed up, asking specifically whether he had any information on a possible return date, Hoyos kept his answer short and direct: “Nothing,” he said, offering no further details or timeline for when Messi might be back with the squad.

Messi has been away from the team since the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, last Friday, missing Inter Miami‘s Leagues Cup loss to Monterrey as he traveled to Argentina to be with his family. His absence has left a significant void both emotionally and on the field for a Miami side now fighting to keep its tournament hopes alive.

That fight continues Wednesday, August 12, when Inter Miami host Club Leon at Nu Stadium in what could already be a dead rubber. Miami risk being mathematically eliminated from the Leagues Cup as early as Tuesday, August 11, one day before that match, depending on results elsewhere in the MLS table — meaning they could take the field against Leon already out of contention for the knockout rounds.

When could Messi return?

If Messi doesn’t make it back for the Leon match, attention turns to Inter Miami’s next fixtures on the calendar: an MLS clash with Nashville SC on August 15, or the August 19 meeting with Philadelphia Union.

Miami’s own tournament situation could end up shaping that decision as much as anything else. Should the club already be eliminated from the Leagues Cup by the time they face Leon, there would be little competitive reason to rush Messi back for a match with nothing riding on it.

The Leagues Cup situation would potentially push his return even further out, toward Nashville or Philadelphia, once there’s an actual result on the line.