WHAT HAPPENED?
Concerns were raised over Lionel Messi’s ankle injury when he was omitted from September’s World Cup qualifiers with Argentina, but he could return to action for the club sooner than expected.
Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino confirmed that the Inter Miami captain is making good progress in individual training sessions and will play at least part of the matches with the Herons before the playoffs begin in late October.
WHAT MARTINO SAID
Speaking to reporters, Martino expanded on Messi’s return. While he admitted he could not offer an exact timetable, the coach did offer some ideas.
“There is no estimated time for his return,” Martino said. “It will depend on how he feels and the sum of the training sessions.” But when asked if Messi would play again in the regular season, the former Argentina and Barcelona coach answered with a clear “yes.”
THE GENERAL CONTEXT
Including his absence due to the Copa America, Messi has not played for Miami for more than two months. The Herons were in the midst of their Leagues Cup campaign when he returned from international duty with an ankle injury. Miami managed to advance to the round of 16 in the Leagues Cup without him, and has a five-point lead at the top of the Eastern Conference ahead of MLS’s resumption on Saturday.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MESSI?
The Argentine will continue individual sessions as Miami continues its push toward the playoffs in MLS. While there is no exact date for his return to action, it appears the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will be back before the playoffs. The final week of the season ends on October 19.
