Lionel Messi might not have played for Inter Miami for well over two months, yet the forward’s impact on the club has still been as big as ever.
The Herons sit top of the Supporters’ Shield standings with Inter Miami the early favorites to go all the way in MLS Cup, with Tata Martino guiding the Florida franchise to eight wins in their last 11 games without Messi available.
With Inter Miami insiders expecting Messi to be out for some time, it could be a while before the Argentine international is back to full fitness after twisting his ankle in last month’s Copa America final against Colombia.
And defender Noah Allen has now shared what it’s like to train with Messi currently out injured.
Allen reveals Messi’s ‘influence’ in Inter Miami training
Speaking to the press after training yesterday, the 20-year-old Herons’ academy graduate revealed that Messi still has a big influence on Inter Miami despite being restricted to only gym work for the Florida franchise.
With Julian Gressel sharing a similar message on Messi, the 37-year-old attacker is keeping up a professional attitude by sticking to his training regime at Inter Miami, one that could soon progress to work on the training pitch.
And Allen is seemingly pleased to see Messi in training every day, with the USA youth international saying on the attacker’s presence behind the scenes: “He’s around every day, he definitely has an influence.
“He talks to a lot of guys, we see him talking in the gym, he watches us train, he stays around with us in the facility, he comes to all the games that are at home, he has a big influence, and he’s progressed really well and soon he will be back.”
Messi’s presence in training will be huge for the Herons
Messi is the greatest to ever play the game, with the attacker as influential as they come in soccer and a figure that everyone in Inter Miami will look up to in some shape or form.
And the veteran forward showing up to training every day to work on his rehabilitation is something that will come across as huge for Inter Miami, who will view Messi as a role model and the ultimate form of professionalism.
Indeed, Messi’s return is just around the corner, and the attacker showing his fellow teammates what needs to be done in training will go a long way in building up a good reputation with the rest of the squad and the standards that need to be met.