Explained: Why Inter Miami have ‘more confidence’ in Lionel Messi fitness after return from hamstring injury

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stepped off the bench in the Herons’ latest MLS fixture after sitting out their last four games. He made an immediate impact, with his sixth goal of the season recorded just before the hour mark in a game that ended in a 2-2 draw.

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Inter Miami boss Tata Martino told reporters afterwards when asked for an update on Messi: “What Leo did is what he always does, how he affects our team, all his team-mates, the fans, and the most important thing is he felt comfortable, he felt good, he felt loose, and that’s why it’s a shame to have to give up two points.”

Messi had not figured for club or country since March 13 due to a hamstring complaint, with no risks being taken on the Argentine as Inter Miami look to compete on multiple fronts. Martino added on having the all-time great back after testing MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup fixtures: “We know it was a risk for him to play the first game against Monterrey. We knew, well we planned, because there are variables, that he would play some minutes today. We thought 30-45 minutes. He felt good. This helps us to arrive at the game (against Monterrey) next Wednesday with more confidence regarding his injury.”

Having eased Messi back into the fold, and seen him make another important contribution to the collective cause, the expectation is that he will play a more prominent role when Inter Miami look to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit in their Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Monterrey.