Lionel Messi’s long injury layoff may be coming to a close.
Ahead of their highly-anticipated matchup against FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami’s social media team posted a photo showing Messi on the field with the caption, “See you tomorrow” in Spanish.
Messi has been out with a hamstring scar injury since Inter Miami’s 4-0 win against Toronto FC on September 20th. In that game, the Argentine was substituted off in the 27th minute with discomfort in his leg.
Since then, the World Cup winner has yet to feature in a match for the Herons, slowly making his way back to full fitness. Miami has largely struggled without Messi’s presence on the pitch, going winless in their last four matches, including a painful US Open Cup loss against the Houston Dynamo on September 27th.
Several reports suggested that Messi may return against Cincinnati. If Inter Miami’s recent post is anything to go by, those reports will come true.
With just three matches until the end of the regular season, Miami will need to win those games if they want a chance at making the playoffs.
Messi returns
Messi’s return will be a huge boost for Inter Miami’s struggling attack. Despite boasting talents such as youngster Facundo Farias, winger Robert Taylor, and striker Leonardo Campana, the Herons have had a difficult time creating consistent shooting opportunities on offense.
Without Messi on the field, Miami have netted only four goals in their last four games, something unheard of when the Herons out-scored the opposition 22 to 8 on their way to winning the Leagues Cup.
Though there is, maybe, a slight overreliance on Messi, he is – arguably, the best player in the world. It’s natural for a team that was at the bottom of MLS when he joined the club in the summer, to look towards him to carry the offensive load.
Messi’s return will, hopefully, be the catalyst Miami needs to push themselves into the playoffs.