Lionel Messi is back in action for Inter Miami having played the last three MLS games for the Herons, with the Argentina superstar slowly coming back to his best.
Although Messi endured what might have been his worst performance yet for Inter Miami against New York City FC, the former FC Barcelona talisman being fully fit and playing is already a huge boost for the Florida franchise.
With four regular season games to go, the Herons will want Messi to remain as fit as possible heading into the post-season play-offs, where Inter Miami will be the favorites to win MLS Cup with the Supporters’ Shield already in their sights.
And a return to the Argentina national team could now be on the cards next month.
Argentina to train in Miami next month in Messi hint
According to journalist Gaston Edul, Argentina will set up base in Miami next month for their next set of international fixtures against Venezuela, with the Florida campus chosen as a more logistical destination than the usual Buenos Aires facility.
Edul posted: “The Argentine National Team will train in Miami during the days prior to Argentina – Venezuela. They can travel from Miami to Maturin, Venezuela on Wednesday, October 9. They will not train in Ezeiza that week. The logistics to get to Venezuela are difficult from Buenos Aires.”
With Messi fully fit and back to playing regular minutes for Inter Miami, Argentina choosing to set up their base in Florida for the next international break is a strong hint that the 37-year-old attacker could be in line to return the national team.
Indeed, Argentina trained at Inter Miami during the Copa America where Messi captained the South American giants to another continental title, and the reigning FIFA World Cup holders could now bring their captain back into the fold for next month’s fixtures against Venezuela and Bolivia.
International break could be good for Messi
With MLS breaking for the October international break, Messi getting some minutes in October could be hugely beneficial for Inter Miami ahead of their final regular season game and the play-offs.
Messi has not played regular soccer in two months and is still on the road to match fitness having played the last three games for Inter Miami, with the attacker looking sharp yet still in need of some more minutes.
And the international break can provide with Messi just that, provided that Argentina don’t overplay the 37-year-old against Venezuela and Bolivia, two games that will be intense for the Inter Miami captain.