Lionel Messi’s injury problems have been a constant in the Inter Miami news cycle ever since the attacker signed for the Herons last year.
After suffering from problems in 2023, Messi is once again on the treatment table this season after twisting his ankle in the Copa America final, with the forward missing the last 11 Inter Miami games.
With Messi keen to play for Inter Miami before the September international break, the 37-year-old Argentine seems determined to get back out on the pitch and resume playing for the Herons after over two months away from action.
Yet it appears Messi’s Inter Miami could take longer than first predicted.
Messi could be out for Inter Miami until mid-September
According to Marca, Messi is expected to make his Inter Miami return in mid-September against the Philadelphia Union, way later than many predicted the forward to be back for the Florida franchise.
With Inter Miami out of Leagues Cup action, the lack of fixtures and matchday commitments could help accelerate Messi’s recovery heading into the final matches of the regular MLS season.
However, Messi being back as late as mid-September, where Inter Miami will have just a handful of games remaining, will come as a massive blow for the Herons, especially with FC Cincinnati coming up next on the schedule.
Indeed, Inter Miami have coped well without Messi this summer, yet the attacker being out for up to three months will do little to help the confidence of supporters heading into the MLS play-offs, where fans will want the star player fully fit.
Messi will want to return from injury as early as possible
Messi is a player who has rarely spent any time out injured across his career, with the attacker’s age seemingly catching up to him after nearly 20 years at the top of his game.
And with this latest injury taking longer than expected to recover, Messi will want to return as soon as possible, with the forward a real loss for Inter Miami this summer.
Whilst Messi is seemingly close to making a return to the pitch, Inter Miami will want to ensure that the forward is as healthy as possible before coming back to MLS, with the attacker simply too important to suffer another setback.