Lionel Messi returns: Inter Miami boost ahead of Philadelphia Union clash
Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino has confirmed that Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will be available for selection against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Messi’s return comes after a brief layoff due to a right ankle sprain sustained during the 2024 Copa América final on July 14.
Despite missing training on Wednesday with a sore throat, Messi has made a swift recovery, returning to the field on Thursday and participating in Friday’s morning training session.
“He’s fine,” Martino said. “Yesterday he returned to training.
He is contemplated for tomorrow’s game and after training we will define the strategy for him, but he is available.
We are going to once again have the best player in the world within the team so we are all happy about that situation.”
“Yes [there was concern], because it came together a bit with everything, the recovery of the ankle and just that throat condition he had, which prevented him from training.”
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“But he had been training quite well and we always thought that Philadelphia was the game to return to.
Luckily, this lasted only one day. Yesterday he already trained normally; we are just simply taking into account what has happened to define the strategy for tomorrow.”
His availability is a significant boost for Inter Miami, who currently lead the Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference standings with 59 points from 27 games.
As the team eyes a record-breaking regular season, Messi’s return to action is timely.
Inter Miami has already clinched a 2024 MLS playoff slot, marking a successful return to the postseason after missing out in 2023.
With Messi back in the lineup, the team is poised to continue its dominant run and make a strong push for the MLS Cup.
