Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has now revealed how Lionel Messi is feeling after returning from injury to this weekend against the Colorado Rapids.
The 36-year-old ended almost a month of no appearances for the Herons with a cameo from the bench on Saturday in Florida, with Messi marking his return with a goal in front of home support.
Although Inter Miami failed to beat the Colorado Rapids, the return of Messi was an obvious positive for Martino’s side, especially heading into Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against CF Monterrey.
Inter Miami manager delivers positive Lionel Messi injury update
And speaking to the Miami Herald, Martino revealed that Messi was feeling good after his second-half appearance against the Colorado Rapids, a promising update of things to come.
With Inter Miami in need of a miracle on Wednesday, Messi featuring at all will be a major boost for the Herons, who could now start dreaming of progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions Cup.
Martino said on Messi’s current state: “We know it was a risk for him to play the first game against Monterrey [Wednesday]. 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.”
Lionel Messi will be itching to start against Monterrey
Given how important Wednesday’s clash against Monterrey is, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Messi was eager to be named in the starting XI for the Herons.
It’s been well over a month since Messi was last named from the start in an Inter Miami side, and a return next week would be huge for the Herons in their quest to win continental silverware.
And with Messi now back from injury, the winger could well be named in the starting XI, especially with the forward feeling good after this weekend’s game against the Colorado Rapids.