Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino said on Friday that Lionel Messi will return to the team’s lineup before the end of the 2024 MLS season.
Messi has been out of action since suffering an ankle ligament injury during the Copa América final on July 14, when Argentina defeated Colombia. He was also left out of the national team’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia in September.
Martino said that after working exclusively in the gym, Messi has been working mainly individually in recent days.
“No [the injury is not more serious than anticipated] “The times are more or less there,” Martino said Friday.
“He is not training with the group. But yes, he is already on the pitch and working with the physical trainers. He is developing well, it was foreseeable that he would not be with Argentina because he is not yet able to play, but we continue to see him develop. There is no estimate, because you already start to see how you feel when you add training on the pitch.”
“The work is planned by the medical part with the physical trainers. But yes, he will return before the end of the regular season.”
Martino could not give an exact timeline for Messi’s return, saying only: “It is not a situation that is too far away.”
Messi last played for Inter Miami on June 1, before leaving for international duty at the Copa América. In his absence, the Herons have gone 8-3-0 in all competitions. They were knocked out in the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup by Columbus Crew, dashing their hopes of winning the tournament for the second season in a row.
Inter Miami currently leads MLS with 53 points and a 16-4-5 record and can clinch a playoff spot against FC Cincinnati on Saturday night. The postseason begins on October 26.
