'Tiny red flag' - Lionel Messi injury update as Inter Miami star appears no closer to return from ankle problem

The Argentina superstar damaged his right ankle when representing his country in the 2024 Copa America final. He was able to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament – taking his record-breaking haul of major honours to 45 – but has been stuck on the sidelines ever since.

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Messi was forced to sit out the MLS All-Star Game and Inter Miami’s disappointing defence of their Leagues Cup crown that he helped to secure 12 months ago. The hope was that an extended break would have the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner ready to lead a charge for MLS Cup glory.

The Herons will be back in domestic action on August 24, against Supporters’ Shield rivals FC Cincinnati, but there is no sign of Messi stepping back onto the training pitch just yet. With that in mind, Miami Herald reporter Michelle Kaufman has told the Inside Inter Miami podcast: “They basically have one week off before they’re playing again on August 24th, and the man still hasn’t stepped out on the field, he’s still just working by himself in the gym.

“Tata [Martino] has been saying before that he hopes to have the squad, including Messi, fit before the end of August. But the day before Columbus [in the Leagues Cup last 16], the wording changed to ‘we don’t have an estimate as to his return yet’, so that little wording change was a tiny red flag.”

Messi’s team-mates have been optimistically stating in public that they hope to have their talismanic captain back in the not too distant future. No return date has been put in place, though, and it remains to be seen when the mercurial 37-year-old will be ready to take in another competitive outing.