Sports15 August, 20263 min read
Guillermo Hoyos Says Lionel Messi Return Date Uncertain Before Inter Miami vs Nashville
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Messi's return date ahead of crucial Nashville MLS clash remains uncertain Hoyos spoke to reporters after training regarding Messi's status
Messi’s MLS return
Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said the date of Lionel Messi's return remains uncertain as the club prepares for a crucial MLS showdown against Nashville on Saturday at Geodis Park. Hoyos spoke to reporters after training on Friday, and he said Messi recently came on in the second half during Miami's defeat to Club León, a result that sealed elimination in the Leagues Cup. The Yahoo Actualités report says the appearance came just a few days after Messi's return from Rosario following the tragic death of his father, Jorge.
Hoyos said Inter Miami is carefully managing the gradual return of its captain to the first team, with the club determined to give the superstar time to mourn with his family. Diario AS added that after being eliminated from the 2026 Leagues Cup following a loss to León, Inter Miami is already turning the page to focus on the crucial MLS clash against Nashville SC for the top of the Western Conference this Saturday at Geodis Park.
Calm, silence, and accountability
Asked about Messi's immediate availability, Hoyos stressed that the situation must be handled with extreme caution, and he said, "I think Leo's situation must continue to evolve little by little because there is a lot of pain." Hoyos also told reporters, "It's not something that can be fixed overnight," and he said silence, calm, and peace are what's best as Messi finds his own moments. Diario AS quoted Hoyos saying, "Silence is the most appropriate," and that the club has to accompany Messi "within that silence" so he can come out when he can.
The AS report also quoted Hoyos on Messi's character, saying, "There are no words... you can’t find adjectives for the value of Messi’s character." In the same build-up, the Yahoo Actualités report said Hoyos called for calm and peace and offered a personal reflection on Messi beyond football, describing himself as a supportive figure rather than a manager putting pressure on his star player.
Schedule pressure and stakes
Inter Miami’s schedule after Nashville is already set out in the Yahoo Actualités report, with the club traveling to face the Philadelphia Union on August 19. After that trip, the club will return to host Toronto FC on August 22 and CF Montréal on August 29, with those encounters described as crucial as Miami pursues its bid for both MLS standings and the Supporters' Shield. The Yahoo Actualités report also frames the Nashville match as a "crucial MLS showdown" and says it comes as Inter Miami seeks to give Messi the time he needs while still pushing for results.
Diario AS said the match against Nashville is "a hugely important game between two teams that are fighting for a goal" and that they play for that goal, making it "an important and vibrant match." Meanwhile, 365Scores’ preview said it looks like Lionel Messi will start against Nashville SC and that the match could be a turning point in the race for first place in the Conference standings, with Inter Miami visiting Nashville SC in a showdown between the top two teams in the standings.