Julian Gressel has shared when Lionel Messi could return for Inter Miami after suffering an ankle injury during the Copa America final.
The Argentine superstar has missed the last two MLS games for the Herons after twisting his ankle against Colombia, with Messi also missing from MLS All-Star week, as the 37-year-old is also set to sit out of this weekend’s Leagues Cup opener.
Whilst Inter Miami have thrived without Messi in the past month, having the 37-year-old back would be a huge boost for the Florida franchise in the final matches of the regular MLS season heading into the play-offs.
And Gressel has now said when he expects Messi to be back for Inter Miami.
Gressel also in the dark over Messi’s Inter Miami return from injury
Speaking on the Player/Manager podcast, Gressel revealed that he also has no clue when Messi will be back, with the Inter Miami midfielder sharing that the Argentine’s return is being guarded as a secret.
With Herculez Gomez recently slamming Inter Miami and MLS for keeping injury updates on Messi’s behind lock and key, it appears that even the forward’s own teammates aren’t sure what’s going on, a potentially worrying sign.
Gressel said when asked about Messi’s injury and when the forward could return: “It looked bad, and the way he’s walking doesn’t seem so great, but he’s trying to protect it, that’s why he’s wearing the boot and trying to minimize the movement to heal those ligaments.
“Honestly, I don’t have a return date, I don’t have much insight, it’s being kept well hidden, even from us as teammates on what’s actually going on. I want to look at it with a half-glass-full kind of mentality, so I hope he’s back soon and not in a month or two and it will be quicker than that.”
Inter Miami need to announce a statement on Messi’s fitness
Inter Miami have done themselves little favor in recent weeks in being so tightlipped about Messi’s fitness, with fans and experts unsure if the attacker will be back in a few days or in a month.
And with so much confusion surrounding this episode, Inter Miami need to clear the air on Messi’s fitness and release a statement outlining what is wrong with the forward and when the Argentine could be back.
Peace of mind will do supporters a world of good, and for Messi, he could feel better about telling the world when he will be back in action rather than staying quiet on his fitness.