Lionel Messi has been absent from an Inter Miami matchday squad for two months, yet the forward is working hard to return to the pitch from injury.
The Argentine international is currently working in the gym with Messi set to miss Inter Miami’s trip to Columbus Crew today, making it 11 games in a row that the 37-year-old attacker has missed for the Herons.
With Messi aiming to return for Inter Miami this month, supporters of the MLS franchise are rightly getting anxious about if the attacker will actually be back in time in the coming weeks, with the September international break on the horizon.
Yet Inter Miami star Drake Callender has issued a promising update of sorts.
Messi in training every day despite injury to send Inter Miami message
Speaking to the press ahead of tonight’s Leagues Cup tie against the Columbus Crew, Callender revealed that Messi is still in training every day and working on his injury in an attempt to show the rest of the squad the standards they should be aiming for when recovering.
With no official date set for when Messi will return, it’s unknown whether or not the attacker will be back in time later this month with the return of MLS action, yet the Argentine is still continuing to impress even away from the pitch.
Callander said on Messi’s injury: “It’s been unfortunate that we haven’t had Leo the last two months and he’s a player you want on your roster, playing games, helping us win games. But other players have stepped up and helped us out.
“He’s such a big presence on our team when he’s with us, and even when he’s not playing. He’s in every day, working with trainers and I think it’s important for the guys to see how he takes care of himself and responds to an injury and hopefully, we’ll be able to have him back soon.”
Messi has set the new standards at Inter Miami in training
Messi is one of the best professionals in soccer in virtually every aspect of the game, from training to recovery to diet, the Inter Miami star has nailed all the factors that can be controlled to a tee.
And for Inter Miami’s squad, the standards Messi has brought to the franchise have clearly paid off, with the Herons thriving without their star forward having now learnt what it takes to win and what to strive for.
Indeed, Messi will be itching to return to the pitch, yet even when out through injury, the attacker is setting the standards needed for Inter Miami to flourish without the reigning Ballon d’Or holder.