Lionel Messi's debut in Major League Soccer will have to wait a little longer, officials said on Wednesday after Inter Miami's top-flight return was pushed back due to the team's progress into the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
Messi scored in his third consecutive match for Inter in a 3-1 victory over Orlando City last week, helping it move into the last 16 of the tournament.
The Argentine added two more goals on Monday to send his side into the quarterfinals after beating FC Dallas on penalties (5-3) following a 4-4 draw.
Inter will next face Charlotte FC on Friday, and one of the two clubs will then be playing on Aug. 19 in either the Leagues Cup final or the third-place match.
Inter was originally scheduled to take on Charlotte at home in its return to league action on Aug. 20, a contest which now has been postponed, MLS said in a statement.
"For now, Messi's first MLS match looks to be Aug. 26 on the road against the New York Red Bulls," it added.