‘Not limping’ – Positive Lionel Messi injury update as Inter Miami prepare to throw Argentina superstar back into quest for MLS Cup glory

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been stuck on the sidelines since damaging his right ankle in the 2024 Copa America final. He returned to Chase Stadium from that tournament with another trophy win under his belt, but has been unable to take in further outings at club level.

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Messi has not figured for the Herons since mid-June, when he left for international duty, and Tata Martino has had to cope without the services of his most creative influence. Inter Miami have booked a play-off berth in their captain’s absence and hope to have him back for their next fixture against the Philadelphia Union on September 14.

USMNT star Julian Gressel has told the Player/Manager podcast of how his domestic colleague has been getting on in recent training sessions: “He’s not really limping anymore. He’s been part of team training, but I think it was a little bit too early, that Chicago game for him. I think he ultimately made the decision to just give it another couple of weeks because now we have the international break and he’s with the national team.

“I expect him to be part of the team in this next game. I think it’s something that is realistic where we’ll have two weeks of full training. At times, he’s still a little bit limited, obviously, but I think that they’re being cautious with him and seeing how he feels on a daily basis. It’s still somewhat day-to-day.

“But he’s definitely been in team training, he’s been part of the group more on the field, and it’s nice. It’s nice to see him back out there because it’s Leo Messi. If you can add a guy like that after what we’ve done over the past two months, it’s certainly going to be an interesting kind of finish to the end here.”

Gressel has previously claimed that Messi’s imminent return will have rivals running “scared”, with the all-time great stepping back in at a crucial stage of the season. Inter Miami are determined to savour a historic MLS Cup success in 2024, with big money having been invested in assembling a squad that is loaded with talent.