Argentina captain Lionel Messi has rejoined the national team for training on Monday after a seven-month break ahead of their upcoming Conmebol World Cup qualifying matches.

In their final match before next month's FIFA Club World Cup, Messi and the Herons delivered a dominant 5-1 home rout of the Columbus Crew. The legendary Argentine No. 10 put in a 2g/3a performance on Saturday night, rivaling his remarkable 1g/5a output from a 6-2 win over the New York Red Bulls last year to enter the MLS record books.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were chosen as the host nominees for the 2025 Club World Cup instead of the to-be-determined 2024 MLS champions.