Lionel Messi is set to return to action for Inter Miami on Saturday after a two-month absence due to an ankle injury, head coach Gerardo Martino confirmed on Friday.
“Yes, he is fine,” Martino said before training. “He trained (Thursday), he is in the plans for the game. After training we will figure out the strategy for him, but he is available.”
The 37-year-old Argentine star has been sidelined since injuring his right ankle during the Copa America final on July 14, when he helped Argentina to victory over Colombia. Messi has missed eight MLS games for his club and this month’s World Cup qualifiers for his country.
Inter Miami, who lead the Eastern Conference and top the overall MLS standings, are set to host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Messi’s return comes as a significant boost for the team as they push for playoff success in their debut MLS season.
“To get back the best player in the world to our team, which was already on a good run, we are all very happy with this situation,” Martino added, expressing the team’s excitement about welcoming back the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Since joining Inter Miami in July, Messi has made an immediate impact, though the exact number of his appearances and goals was not specified in the original report.
Saturday’s match against Philadelphia Union is scheduled at Inter Miami’s home stadium. While Martino did not confirm whether Messi would start or come off the bench, his availability adds significant interest to the fixture.
As Inter Miami prepare for the final stretch of the regular season, Messi’s fitness and form will be crucial to their ambitions of securing a high playoff seeding and potentially making a run at the MLS Cup in their inaugural campaign.
