Top News

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE WORLD CUP

When will Lionel Messi be back with Inter Miami? Can Robert Lewandowski spark a turnaround for Chicago Fire? Here are five major storylines as Major League Soccer returns following its World Cup hiatus.

MLS is back after its World Cup break, with Lionel Messi’s uncertain return timeline, new arrivals Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann, and Nashville SC continuing to set the standard.

Welcome back, MLS. The league temporarily stepped aside for the World Cup. While American football’s premier competition has firmly entered the mainstream, the global tournament still reigns supreme.

Now, with the World Cup nearing its conclusion – both semifinals done and the final around the corner – attention can shift once again to MLS. Before the break, the season had produced some thrilling football. San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps impressed in the Western Conference, while Nashville and Inter Miami provided plenty of entertainment in the East.

Adding to the intrigue, global icons Antoine Griezmann and Robert Lewandowski are joining the league’s growing list of superstars – with rumours suggesting more could follow. All signs point towards a fascinating final stretch of the season.

Here are the five biggest questions as MLS gets back underway…

When will Lionel Messi return to action?

Last season, Lionel Messi shattered nearly every record in MLS history. It was arguably the greatest individual campaign the league has ever witnessed. His 2026 form has been just as impressive, with 12 goals and eight assists from 14 appearances for Inter Miami. On the international stage, he has also been sensational, leading the World Cup Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists.

The key question is when Miami supporters will see him again. Argentina’s semifinal triumph over England means Messi will feature in another World Cup final, extending what has already been an exhausting summer. Typically, clubs grant players several weeks – sometimes even a month – to recover from tournaments of this magnitude, especially veterans who have carried such heavy workloads.

This could mean Miami will be without their talisman for a crucial portion of the MLS run-in. It’s already been a turbulent season in South Florida, with Javier Mascherano stepping down less than two months into the campaign and Guillermo Hoyos taking over. Hoyos, who shares a strong bond with Messi, is still relatively new on the managerial stage. Nevertheless, Miami sit second in the Eastern Conference and remain strong contenders.

Ultimately, everything revolves around Messi. Miami need to manage his absence carefully, allow him ample time to recuperate, and resist any urge to rush him back. If he returns fit and motivated, Inter Miami could be among the favourites for the MLS Cup. But if the World Cup leaves a lingering physical or emotional impact, their season could become far more complicated.

How will Antoine Griezmann adapt?

Antoine Griezmann has been open for years about his desire to play in MLS. His affection for the United States is well-documented, and signing with Orlando City has finally fulfilled that ambition. He scored in his first friendly for the club and appears to be enjoying himself immensely.

However, friendlies are one thing; competitive matches are another. Orlando City have endured a poor campaign so far, but the reported acquisition of Daryl Dike hints at a potential turnaround in Florida. The question now is whether Griezmann can quickly adjust and make an immediate impact in the league.

Can Robert Lewandowski find his scoring touch?

Chicago Fire’s long pursuit of Robert Lewandowski has finally paid off. Once it became clear that Barcelona would not be offering the veteran striker a new deal, Chicago seized the opportunity to convince the Polish legend that MLS – and the Windy City – should be his next chapter.

The statistics suggest he still has plenty to offer. Lewandowski ended his Barcelona stint with 119 goals in 191 matches, including 42 in 52 games during the 2024–25 season and another 18 in his final year. He departs Europe as the third-highest scorer in Champions League history, with 109 goals, and over 700 goals for club and country. He was still performing at elite level right until the end.

Now comes the real challenge. Lewandowski has been training in Europe but hasn’t played a competitive match in a couple of months. Even though his technical ability far exceeds the MLS average, adapting quickly isn’t guaranteed. The league’s demanding travel schedule, unpredictable fixtures, and his age – 37 – could make it harder for him to regain sharpness immediately.

Off the pitch, however, this transfer is already a success. Chicago is home to one of the largest Polish communities outside Poland, and welcoming the nation’s greatest-ever footballer will undoubtedly boost attendance at Soldier Field. For a club seeking to reestablish its presence as a major sporting brand in the city, that could be just as significant as his goal tally.

Chicago already had a potent attack before Lewandowski’s arrival. The big question is whether he can integrate swiftly, elevate them to the league’s best offence, and turn the Fire into genuine title contenders.

Which USMNT stars might return to MLS?

For years, MLS fans have looked to the 2026 World Cup as the moment when top USMNT players might finally come home. So far, that expected influx hasn’t materialised.

Reports suggest New York City FC are keen on Christian Pulisic, who is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract with AC Milan. However, Milan hold an option extending through 2028 and reportedly have no intention of selling. At 27, with several prime years still ahead in Europe, there seems little sporting incentive for Pulisic to move just yet.

Weston McKennie has taken himself out of the mix by signing a new Juventus contract through 2030. Beyond that, no major moves have happened. Despite speculation that the World Cup would trigger a wave of returns, most of the USMNT’s established European-based stars appear content to remain abroad.

There has been some movement lower down the ranks, though. Orlando City are said to be finalising Daryl Dike’s return – the former MLS standout who left for West Brom in 2022. After several injury-hit years in England, a return to familiar surroundings could help him rediscover form. It might not be the headline-grabbing signing MLS hoped for post-World Cup, but it’s a logical move for both player and club.

There’s still time for change. The MLS secondary transfer window has just opened and runs until September 2, while European clubs are also ramping up business. Further negotiations could follow – and perhaps a big name might be tempted. For now, though, the much-talked-about USMNT homecoming remains more hope than reality.

Are Nashville SC the real deal?

Nashville began the season in dominant fashion. Under B.J. Callaghan, the team lost just once in their first 14 matches, conceding only 11 goals. Cristian Espinoza’s arrival on the right wing already looks like one of the best deals of the offseason, while Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar have rediscovered their top forms.

Despite sitting atop the MLS standings coming out of the World Cup break, Nashville are not resting on their laurels. The club is close to completing moves for Tunisian winger Elias Saad from Bundesliga side FC Augsburg and 21-year-old Senegalese midfielder Famara Camara.

While these additions might not transform the team overnight, that’s not the goal. Nashville already possess the talent and structure to win. What they’re seeking now is greater depth, unpredictability, and enough energy to handle what promises to be an intense second half of the season.

For a side that has already established itself as the benchmark in MLS, this transfer approach makes perfect sense: identify the few remaining weak points, strengthen them, and make an already formidable squad even tougher to beat.