Lionel Messi is on the verge of returning to action for Inter Miami, yet the forward caused some panic this week by not turning up to training.
Messi was not spotted in Inter Miami’s open training session on Wednesday, bringing up fears that the attacker had suffered a setback with his ankle injury having already spent close to two months out recovering.
With Tata Martino saying Messi is expected to be fit for this weekend’s tie against the Philadelphia Union, fears that the Argentine has picked up another injury were more than reasonable to believe given the forward’s fitness issues this season.
However, these suggestions seem to have been very wide of the mark.
Messi trained with Inter Miami away from the press
According to Gaston Edul, Messi has been at training this week, with the forward suffering from a cold, with the journalist posting on Twitter: “Leo Messi had another training session today because he has the flu. Nothing has happened to him with the recovery of his ankle.”
With fears over Messi suffering a physical setback now cleared, Inter Miami fans can remain focused on this weekend’s clash against the Union, where the reigning Ballon d’Or holder could feature at long last.
Indeed, Inter Miami are already through to the post-season play-offs with the Herons also having one hand on the Supporters’ Shield, with a domestic double completely possible this year.
And Messi returning with no further setbacks could give Inter Miami the boost they need to make history this season, with MLS Cup the big aim for Martino’s side in the coming weeks.
Messi needs to be eased back into MLS action this month
Messi hasn’t played for Inter Miami since June and hasn’t even played a game of soccer since the Copa America final, with the forward missing a decent amount of games for the Herons.
And as a result, Inter Miami need to ease Messi back into playing regular minutes in MLS, with the Argentina too valuable to pick up another lengthy injury this year.
Featuring against the Union will be massive for Inter Miami, and with Messi close to making a full return, the forward will be itching to get back out there and playing for the Florida franchise.