Lionel Messi is set to make his much-anticipated return to the field with Inter Miami after being sidelined for over two months due to an ankle injury. The announcement came from Miami’s head coach Gerardo Martino during a press conference on Friday, confirming that the legendary Argentine is again ready for action. Martino revealed that Messi trained on Thursday and is being considered for Saturday’s match against the Philadelphia Union. “Yes, he is fine. He trained, and he’s in our plans for the game. After training, we will determine the strategy for him, but he is available,” Martino said, expressing optimism about Messi Returns.
Messi Returns suffered the injury during the Copa America
Messi suffered the injury during the Copa America final on July 14, when he led Argentina to a triumphant victory over Colombia. Since then, he has missed many matches, including eight MLS games for Inter Miami and this month’s World Cup qualifiers for Argentina. Inter Miami has maintained its strong position despite his absence, leading the Eastern Conference and topping the overall league standings. The team is already assured of a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs, though their final seeding will depend on their performance as the regular season wraps up on October 19.
Martino acknowledged the excitement surrounding Messi’s comeback, noting its positive impact on the team. “To get back the best player in the world to a team that was already on a good run—everyone is happy about this situation,” Martino stated. Messi’s return is expected to inject a fresh wave of energy and momentum as the club heads into the decisive phase of the season. The MLS Cup playoffs will begin shortly after the regular season concludes and will culminate with the championship match on December 7.
One of Messi’s teammates, Finnish winger Robert Taylor, echoed the sentiments of joy within the squad. He mentioned that Messi’s return to training has already uplifted the team’s morale. “We were confident before, but his presence gives us an extra boost,” Taylor shared in an interview with the Miami Herald. He praised Messi’s competitive nature, highlighting the way Messi’s drive during practice pushes everyone to raise their game. “He’s so determined to win every small drill, whether it’s football, tennis, rondos, or small-sided games. That attitude makes us all want to match his level,” Taylor added.
Taylor also believed that Messi would quickly return to his usual dominant form despite being out of action for an extended period. “Two months is a long time for any player, but Messi is different. He’s the best, so I don’t think we’ll see much change in him,” he said confidently. The world will undoubtedly be watching closely as Messi steps back onto the field, eager to see the magic of one of football’s greatest players in action again.