Lionel Messi is finally back in action with Inter Miami after missing nearly two months due to an injury picked up whilst playing for Argentina.
The 37-year-old twisted his ankle in the Copa America final as Messi missed a huge chunk of the regular season for the Herons, with the veteran attacker returning earlier this month having last played for Inter Miami at the start of June.
Although Messi recently endured what might have been his worst performance yet for Inter Miami against New York City FC, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder’s return has been a huge boost for Tata Martino’s side heading into the final MLS games of the regular season.
And Argentina now have a plan on what they want to do with Messi in next month’s international break.
Argentina to recall Messi for international duty next month
According to TyC Sports, Argentina plan to recall Messi into the national team baring any problems between now and the October international break in two weeks time.
Argentina will be based in Miami before traveling to Venezuela for their next FIFA World Cup qualifier, a hint that plans are already in place to bring Messi back into the fold having missed the last international break due to injury.
With four MLS games to go in the regular season, international soccer could do Messi a lot of good in the forward’s quest to gain full match fitness ahead of the play-offs, where Inter Miami will be going all-out to win MLS Cup.
And with Argentina planning to bring Messi back into the national team fold, the extra training and minutes on an international stage could be ideal for the 37-year-old, who would benefit from more time on the field.
Inter Miami need to hope Messi can survive an international break unscathed
Inter Miami have been burned before when it comes to Messi picking up an injury whilst on international duty, and the Herons will be, rightly, worried that a similar incident could happen next month for Argentina.
However, given how important Argentina is for Messi and how useful extra minutes would be for the attacker heading into the MLS play-offs, this international, break could be exactly what Inter Miami need next month.
As we know, Inter Miami will want Messi at his absolute best going into the post-season, and game time with Argentina against good opposition is a one-way ticket to the 37-year-old gaining as much match fitness as possible heading into the MLS play-offs.