Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami in September after nearly two months out having picked up an ankle injury in the Copa America final.
Despite some bright moments back on the field with the Herons, the attacker’s form has been mixed, with the attacker failing to do much against Atlanta United and New York City FC, the latter fixture being potentially Messi’s worse in Inter Miami colors.
Although the former FC Barcelona star did find the back of the net against Charlotte FC, the 37-year-old again looked rusty, with Andrew Wiebe saying Messi looked ‘out of character’ at Chase Stadium against the Crowns.
And Inter Miami coach Javier Morales might have revealed why Messi hasn’t been as good as he could be.
Messi not yet at 100% match fitness for Inter Miami
Speaking to the press at today’s open training session, Morales confirmed that Messi is yet to reach full fitness since returning to action with Inter Miami, though the attacker did show against Charlotte as the game went on that he is on the right path.
Messi is yet to pick up any injury scares since making his comeback last month with Inter Miami, though the reason behind the Argentine’s mixed form could be as simple as a lack of match sharpness, like what Morales has suggested.
The Inter Miami coach said when asked about Messi’s fitness and how the attacker is feeling after Saturday’s draw against Charlotte: “We’re used to the fact that Leo is a player who gets into better physical shape as the games go by.
He did struggle at the beginning [vs Charlotte], we all saw what happened, but then as the game went on, he did very well and he finished strongly. We saw his number on the GPS and they were good, well above normal, so let’s hope that now he can build from these numbers.”
Herons need to ensure they don’t burn Messi out again
Messi’s fitness will be key for Inter Miami if they’re to win MLS Cup later this year, with the Supporters’ Shield virtually in the bag with one win needed from the last three games.
Yet with Inter Miami coaches now saying that the Argentine is not yet fully fit, the Herons need to ensure they’re not burning out Messi like they did last year, a practice that did more harm than good in the long-term.
With only three regular season games to go, Inter Miami know they can’t take any risks on Messi, and starting the attacker on the bench against the Crew could be a good tactic given the amount of depth the Florida franchise have.