Lionel Messi made a cameo in Inter Miami’s training on Wednesday as the Argentina superstar is working his way back from injury.
Messi’s last appearance for Inter Miami was on June 1 and he’s missed Miami’s last eight games due to being away for the Copa América and a ligament injury he suffered during the final of the South American tournament.
Fans will be pleased to see that Messi was back in the training for the first time in months.
Messi returns to Inter Miami training
That’s the good news, Messi fans. Now for the bad news.
Messi’s return was limited, and Miami have yet to provide an exact return date. Head coach Tata Martino said in an interview with The Athletic that Messi wasn’t participating fully in training.
“There were specific drills that we devised that would allow him a certain level of participation,” Martino said. “But he still does not have medical clearance (to play).”
Messi is recovering from ligament damage in his right ankle which occurred during the Copa América final on July 14.
Inter Miami won’t be in any rush to get Messi back on the field as the Herons have already qualified for the 2024 MLS playoffs. Inter Miami have won seven of their last eight games without Messi.
Miami sit in first place in the Western Conference with an eight-point gap on second-place FC Cincinnati. Rushing Messi’s return to the field could risk his health in the playoffs.
The only clue fans have about the Argentine’s next game with Inter Miami is that it will be sometime before the regular season ends on Oct. 19.