Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said Friday that Lionel Messi will return to the team’s lineup before the end of the 2024 MLS season.
Messi has been sidelined since injuring ankle ligaments in Argentina’s Copa America final win over Colombia on July 14, and was also left out of the squad for September’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.
Martino said Messi was training individually after only working in the gym in recent days.
“no [the injury is not more serious than anticipated]”The time is almost right,” Martino said Friday.
“He’s not training with the group, but certainly he’s already out on the field and working with the physical trainer. He’s developing well. We could have expected him not to join the Argentina national team because he’s not yet ready to play, but we continue to follow his development. As he does more training on the field, he’s already starting to feel himself, so it’s impossible to make predictions.”
“Treatment is being planned by the medical department and physical trainers, but he is expected to return before the end of the regular season.”
Martino was unable to give an exact date for when Messi might return, saying only that it was “not too far away.”
Lionel Messi is still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained while playing for Argentina in the Copa America final. (Photo: Peter Joneright/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Messi last played for Inter Miami on June 1 before joining the national team ahead of the Copa America. In his absence, the Herons went 8 wins, 3 losses and 0 draws in all competitions, including a League Cup loss to Columbus Crew in the round of 16, ending their hopes of winning a second consecutive title.
Inter Miami currently leads MLS with 53 points, 16 wins, four losses and five draws, and has a chance to clinch a playoff spot when they face FC Cincinnati on Saturday night. The postseason is scheduled to begin on Oct. 26.