Identifying the first trophy Messi could win after the 2026 World Cup

Following the disappointment in the 2026 World Cup final, Lionel Messi will quickly get an opportunity to capture another title with Inter Miami.

A chance to ease the pain following the defeat in the 2026 World Cup final will come to Lionel Messi sooner than many expect. The image of the Argentina captain crying as he watched Spain lift the World Cup trophy could be replaced by the moment he raises another trophy just less than two months later.

Although he has turned 39, Messi continues to show that age cannot diminish his class. The Inter Miami superstar scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists in 8 matches at the 2026 World Cup, playing a key role in helping Argentina reach the final. However, the loss to Spain still leaves a deep sense of regret.

After the tournament, Messi shared an emotional message on social media: "The pain is immense and will take time to heal. But I also hold on to all the good moments, the matches where the team gave everything and will remain in my memory. The support of the entire nation and the spirit of unity helped us once again stand among the strongest teams in the world."

The first accolade Messi could earn after the 2026 World Cup

Right after concluding his journey with the Argentina national team, Messi will turn his focus back to Inter Miami. The first title he can win is the Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup, where Inter Miami, the MLS champions, will face Cruz Azul, the Liga MX champions.

According to the confirmed schedule, the cup match will take place on September 16, 2026 at Nu Stadium. This is seen as an opportunity for Messi to quickly add another trophy to his impressive collection following the World Cup disappointment.

Messi is exempt from participating in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game

Meanwhile, MLS has also issued an announcement regarding the plan for managing players returning from the 2026 World Cup.

Ahead of the 2026 MLS All-Star Game scheduled for July 29, the organizers confirmed that before the 2026 season, MLS and the MLS Players Association agreed to allow clubs to proactively discuss with each player after the World Cup to establish a suitable rest and return schedule.

Under this agreement, Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will be excused from the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, in order to have more time to recover after the long campaign with the Argentina national team at the World Cup.

The rest will also help Messi prepare optimally before Inter Miami faces Cruz Azul, where he aims for his first title since the 2026 World Cup.