Lionel Messi training at Inter Miami but not for MLS side! World Cup winner links up with Argentina’s Copa America squad – with Barcelona tattoo on display

The 2022 World Cup winners are using facilities in Florida as they ready themselves for the defence of a continental crown. Messi, fresh from turning out for his club employers against St Louis City, has been joined in the United States by his international colleagues after seeing them jet in from South America.

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Messi is in familiar surroundings, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner now settled with his family in Miami. The 36-year-old finds himself in the unusual position of being around domestic team-mates, without joining in with their practice sessions or preparing for a meeting with the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

The all-time great has switched allegiance to his country, with Lionel Scaloni’s side being put through their paces ahead of a 29-man squad for the Copa America being trimmed to a final selection of 26. Messi, as captain of his country, will form part of those plans.

Messi has been starring in MLS this season, generating MVP talk, but has never hidden his passion for all things Barcelona – having made his name at Camp Nou. His Blaugrana tattoo – which sits on the most famous of left legs – was on full display when joining in with his first training session back in the Argentina camp. The Albiceleste have friendly dates with Ecuador and Guatemala to take in before opening their Copa title defence against Canada on June 20.