The Return of the King: Messi Already Has a Return Date to Inter Miami
After a well-deserved period of rest in his native Rosario to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities, Lionel Messi already has the date of his return to the Inter Miami CF facilities marked on his calendar. The winter break is coming to an end, and the captain of the Argentine national team will report for training in Fort Lauderdale during the second week of January.
Following the Christmas break, the Argentine star prepares to lead the 'Herons' preseason in a 2026 loaded with challenges. The return of the '10' is no minor event for Major League Soccer (MLS). After a record-breaking season, Messi aims to start the year in peak physical condition to face a calendar that promises to be grueling. The coaching staff, driven by the ambition to keep winning titles, has designed a progressive work plan to avoid the muscle injuries that affected certain stretches of last year. Messi is expected to lead the team's expedition in its international preseason fixtures, which will serve as a global showcase for the pink club.
The main objective of this return to work is clear: winning the MLS Cup. With the team's core consolidated and his chemistry with his former FC Barcelona teammates intact, Leo knows that 2026 is a crucial year, not only at the club level but also for maintaining his competitive rhythm ahead of his commitments with the Albiceleste.
Fans in Florida are already counting down the days to see the Argentine's magic once again at Chase Stadium. With his return confirmed for mid-January, Inter Miami is firing up the engines for a campaign where Messi's presence will continue to be the gravitational axis of soccer in North America.
