Messi and De Paul Face Crucial Decision That Could Define Their MLS Cup Dreams
Argentina and Inter Miami superstars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul face a crucial choice as the October FIFA international break approaches.
The 37-year-old icon and his Argentine teammate will need to decide between taking part in Inter Miami's last regular-season home fixture on Oct. 11 against Atlanta United and joining Argentina's national squad, which is scheduled to face Venezuela on Oct. 10 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and battle Puerto Rico on Oct. 13 in Chicago.
Although Messi and De Paul might theoretically participate in both commitments, questions about minute distribution and their importance to each team would arise, making it most probable they'll select either club or country duties, but not both.
Venezuelan international and Miami colleague Telasco Segovia will probably encounter a comparable situation given the friendly match in Miami. Meanwhile, the Herons are expected to be without Ian Fray (Jamaica), David Ruiz (Honduras), and Fafá Picault (Haiti).
"This is a matter we're deliberating. You'll discover soon enough," Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said cryptically to media on Friday before Miami's home encounter with the New England Revolution.
Match Moved to International Break
Although MLS hasn't historically paused for international windows due to its spring-to-winter calendar, it has evolved to support international involvement in recent seasons, scheduling fewer games during FIFA-designated periods.
Nevertheless, these windows enable MLS to slot rescheduled fixtures into the calendar, and the Herons have experienced several in 2025, resulting from extended campaigns in the FIFA Club World Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup.
The Atlanta clash was originally planned for June 28, but was postponed due to Miami's advancement to the Club World Cup Round of 16.
Miami cannot achieve better than second place in the Eastern Conference, but will likely secure a top-four finish, granting them home-field advantage in the opening round of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, which features a best-of-three format.
Therefore, the significance of the Atlanta match might be limited, and all internationally committed players will return for the regular season finale on Oct. 18, when the Herons travel to U.S. Open Cup winners Nashville SC.
The opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs spans from Oct. 24 to Nov. 9, with the postseason taking a break for the November international window before continuing on Nov. 22 with conference semifinals.