New Delhi: Lionel Messi has finally returned to group training with Inter Miami in a limited capacity on Wednesday. He has been out of action since he left the field in the Copa America 2024 final against Colombia in July when he sprained his right ankle. The Argentine was seen training with his Inter Miami teammates, which led to speculations about his return.
However, there is no clear update as to when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will return to play again for Inter Miami, although he is currently on the sideline in the team’s matches, cheering them up. The star striker in 12 MLS games this season has 12 goals and 13 assists. He has missed 14 club league matches including all four of Inter Miami’s League Cup matches.
The former Barcelona star was left in pain in the second half of the Copa America final and had to depart the field in tears. He was dealing with leg issues throughout the tournament and even left the field in the first half for a limited time because of a left ankle issue, then got his right ankle injured in the second half. Due to that, he has been ruled out of the game since then. The 37-year-old striker was also left out by Argentina from World Cup qualifiers squad earlier in September.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) is checked after being injured in the first half during the Copa America Finals match between Colombia and Argentina. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender expressed his feelings on seeing Messi on the pitch. He said, “To see him on the field is great and to be able to get him back it’s going to be huge.” While reflecting on the training he did the coach Tata Martino told The Outlet that there were specific drills devised by the team that allowed him a certain level of participation. Staging out his medical conditions Martino said, “He still does not have medical clearance (to play).”
Inter Miami will visit Chicago this upcoming Saturday and will return to play the MLS league match with Philadelphia on September 14. If Lionel Messi doesn’t make a comeback in this game and even until the Sept 14 match, he will have exactly two months to recover and rehab and gear up for the MLS playoffs. Inter Miami is the only club that have clinched a playoff berth so far and is currently four points clear with a match in hand over the LA Galaxy for the best overall record in MLS.
The Argentine striker Lionel Messi has made a return to Inter Miami group training making a return from a right ankle injury that he suffered during the Copa America 2024 triumph. Check out his possible return to competition. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
