Inter Miami have been without Lionel Messi for three months, yet the attacker’s return could be just a few days away.
Manager Tata Martino announced last week that Messi is in line to feature for the Herons in this weekend’s tie against the Philadelphia Union, with Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni sharing his confidence in the forward featuring in the next international break.
With Inter Miami already through to this season’s MLS play-offs, Messi can get all the rest he needs ahead of the post-season, where the Florida franchise will want the attacker at his absolute best.
And teammate Julian Gressel has now shared what he’s seen from Messi in training.
Messi close to full fitness in Inter Miami training
Speaking on the Player/Manager podcast, the USA international revealed that Messi is closing in on full fitness, with the Inter Miami captain still not there yet in regards to being match fit even with the attacker slated to return this weekend.
Gressel said on Messi: “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.”
Mess needs to be treated with the utmost care
Messi’s fitness has been a big talking point this year for Inter Miami, with the former FC Barcelona superstar managing just 12 MLS appearances for the Herons this season.
And with the reigning Ballon d’Or holder close to full fitness, Inter Miami need to ensure that Messi’s fitness is treated as a priority heading into the MLS play-offs.
Messi could be key to Inter Miami winning MLS Cup for the first time in their history, and if the Herons can manage the forward properly, there’s a real chance that the attacker can return to his best.