Lionel Messi is finally back for Inter Miami having last played for the Herons back at the start of June before the Copa America.
An injury in the final against Colombia has seen Messi ruled out for almost two months with Inter Miami somehow thriving without their star forward, with the Herons becoming the first MLS side to book their place in the post-season play-offs.
With Messi saying he felt tired after his Inter Miami return, the Florida franchise will need to be cautious with the attacker ahead of upcoming league games, with Tata Martino likely to keep the 37-year-old as well-rested as possible.
And Federico Redondo has now shared how he feels about Messi’s return.
Redondo delighted to be back with Messi despite lack of minutes together
Speaking to the press after last night’s 3-1 win against the Union, the Argentina youth international revealed that he’s delighted to have Messi back, even though the midfielder has hardly played alongside the Inter Miami captain.
Redondo, as well as Messi, has suffered from numerous fitness problems throughout his time with Inter Miami, with the midfielder only now getting his first run of games for the MLS franchise since joining this winter.
Yet Redondo is now happy to have Messi back in the Inter Miami squad, with the 21-year-old excited to have his Argentine teammate fit again having last played in MLS at the start of the summer in June.
Redondo said when asked about Messi’s return: “The story goes for Leo. The truth is that I’m not used to seeing him and having him on the field, so having him as a teammate is a pleasure, he is the greatest of all-time.”
Messi’s comeback is the biggest boost the Herons could have asked for
With Inter Miami through to the play-offs and looking good to win the Supporters’ Shield, the idea of the Herons needing any sort of boost for the remainder of the MLS calendar seems almost fanciful.
Yet that’s what Messi’s return has done, with Inter Miami looking as good as they have after Saturday’s impressive win against the Union, with the Florida franchise in a great position to win a domestic double this year.
Indeed, Inter Miami’s squad looks as strong as it has all year, and whilst there are some players missing, Messi returning is all the Herons need if they’re to become MLS and Supporters’ Shield champions this season.