Will Lionel Messi be fit to play against Newell's Old Boys? Tata Martino offers injury update on Inter Miami superstar after World Tour controversy

Inter Miami are all set to face the Argentine club in their final pre-season friendly in Miami before they kick off their 2024 Major League Soccer season campaign next week. Lionel Messi, who remained out of action for the majority of the team's tour to Asia, has been cleared to face his boyhood club as confirmed by manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.

Speaking at an event held at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center in Miami, the former Barcelona coach revealed that the 36-year-old has regained full fitness and is ready to start against his former side.

Martino told reporters, "Lio (Messi) is fine and will start. He's a starter."

The World Cup-winning Argentina skipper landed in trouble with Chinese authorities after he failed to play even a minute during the club's friendly encounter against a selected Hong Kong XI last week. A hamstring injury forced the star player to remain out of action but his absence on the pitch angered local fans and officials. The Beijing Football Association has reportedly cancelled Argentina's international friendlies against Nigeria and Ivory Coast where Messi was supposed to feature in March.

The Herons are on the verge of completing the signing of another Argentine star as they are set to beat Bayern Munich in the race to sign Federico Redendo - son of former Real Madrid star Fernando Redondo. They will begin the new MLS season on February 22 against Real Salt Lake.