Messi Nearing Return to Inter Miami Training After Ankle Injury, Expected Back Before MLS Playoffs

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino announced on Friday that Lionel Messi is expected to return to training soon and should be back on the field before the conclusion of the MLS regular season. Messi has been out of action since suffering an ankle ligament injury during the July 14 Copa América final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, where Argentina faced Colombia. His injury forced him to miss Miami’s entire 2024 Leagues Cup run, and he is likely to miss several upcoming MLS regular-season matches as well.

Messi’s absence also extended to Argentina’s national team, as he was left off the roster for the September World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. Despite concerns, Martino reassured that Messi’s injury recovery is progressing as expected, denying any suggestion that it is more severe than initially thought.

“He is not yet training with the team, but he is already working on the field with the physical trainers,” Martino explained during a press conference. “His recovery is going well, and while it was anticipated that he wouldn’t join Argentina, we continue to monitor his progress. There isn’t a precise timeline for his return to full training, but he is improving steadily. The mental aspect of recovery is just as important as the physical, and he seems to be overcoming both.”

Martino further mentioned that Messi should be back before the MLS playoffs, which are set to begin in the last week of October. “The medical team and physical trainers have a plan in place, and while I can’t give an exact date, his return is not far off,” he said. “He has been on the field for three or four days now, and though we can’t predict an exact time, it will be soon.”

Inter Miami currently leads the Eastern Conference with 53 points from 25 games and is on the verge of securing a playoff spot. Even if Miami loses its upcoming match against FC Cincinnati, multiple scenarios could still ensure their place in the postseason.

The 2024 playoffs may be a final opportunity to see Messi, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets together in Inter Miami colors. Suárez’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and Alba’s future with the team depends on whether the club activates an optional extra year on his contract. Martino acknowledged the potential challenges of extending these contracts within the MLS’s constraints but emphasized the team’s focus on the remaining games of the season.

With nine games left in the regular season before the playoffs start on October 26, Inter Miami’s immediate goal is to secure their postseason berth and prepare for what could be the last hurrah for this star-studded lineup.