Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has revealed how his fitness feels ahead of tonight’s Copa America final with Argentina against Colombia.
The 37-year-old attacker has struggled yet again with injury in recent weeks with Messi picking up an abductor problem in Argentina’s group stage win against Chile, with the veteran forward forced to miss the next game.
With Messi starting the last two fixtures for Argentina and scoring in their semi-final win against Canada, it’s clear that the attacker is not quite yet at 100% having struggled this season with injury with Inter Miami.
And the reigning Ballon d’Or holder has now revealed how he is feeling ahead of tonight’s final.
Messi feeling ‘better’ after Argentina’s semi-final win
Speaking to the press ahead of tonight’s final in Miami, Messi revealed that he is feeling a lot better both physically and mentally after Argentina’s semi-final win against Canada.
With Messi on the scoresheet against Jesse Marsch’s side, the Inter Miami star feeling good is a massive boost for Argentina, who will want their captain to be at his absolute best if they’re to retain their Copa America title this summer.
Messi said when asked about his fitness: “In the last [match] I lost my fear, I felt better and for the final, I will feel better. Against Canada, I felt very good. Beyond the chances we created, I felt very good physically. Against Chile, I suffered an abductor problem and I didn’t play comfortably.
“It makes you play at a slower pace, it bothered me when it was time to stand up or make lateral movements. And with Ecuador I went into the game just about OK, too. I was fine with the injury, but I still had it in my head that I had something.”
Messi could be returning to Inter Miami better than ever
With Messi speaking in glowing terms about his fitness, there’s a real chance that the attacker could return to Inter Miami even better than ever, especially if Argentina can win the Copa America tonight.
In what might be Messi’s last ever international appearance for the South American giants, the 37-year-old will want to return to Inter Miami later this month on a massive high.
And with Messi seemingly at full fitness, the Herons having their star forward healthy and motivated could be what pushes Inter Miami across the finish line to win both MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield.