By Lionel Messi is set to return to action with his club Inter Miami on Saturday after being sidelined for over two months due to an ankle injury, Miami coach Gerardo Martino said on Friday.
“Yes, he is fine,” Martino said before Friday’s training session. “He trained on Thursday and is part of the plans for the game. After training, we will figure out the strategy for him, but he is available,” the Argentine coach added.
Inter Miami, who currently lead the Eastern Conference and top the overall league standings, will face the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
Messi sustained a right ankle injury during the Copa America final on July 14, where he played a key role in Argentina’s victory over Colombia.
Jul 14, 2024; Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) midfielder Angel Di Maria (11) forward Lautaro Martínez (22) and defender Nicolas Otamendi (19) celebrate after winning the Copa America Final against Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck.
Since then, Messi has missed eight MLS matches for his club, and this month’s World Cup qualifiers for his country.
“To get back the best player in the world to our team, which was already on a good run, we are all very happy with this situation,” said Martino.
Inter Miami has already booked their place in the MLS Cup playoffs, although their final seeding will depend on how they finish the regular season, which concludes on October 19.
The playoffs begin the following week and will conclude with the MLS Cup on December 7.
Miami’s Finnish winger, Robert Taylor, echoed the positive sentiment, and said Messi’s return to training had given the team a boost.
“We were already confident, but his return to training gives us even more confidence. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to play soon,” Taylor told the *Miami Herald*.
Jul 14, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after leaving a match against Colombia in the second half during the Copa America Final at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck.
“He brings a lot of leadership. The way he’s competitive in training is really, really amazing to watch. He wants to win every little thing we do in training, whether it’s football tennis, rondos, or small-sided games, he just wants to win everything. So that boosts everyone to try to match that level,” Taylor said.
Taylor also doesn’t expect Messi’s injury to have any lasting effect on the record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Of course, two months is a long time for anyone, but he’s the best player in the world. I don’t think we’ll see much of a different Messi than we’ve seen before, he added.
(This news report includes contributions from AFP.)
