Lionel Messi was back in action for Inter Miami on Saturday at long last with the Argentine already at his best for the Herons.
The reigning Ballon d’Or holder scored twice and assisted another in a 3-1 win for Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union, with Messi already looking like the best player in MLS despite not playing a league game in three months.
Although Messi said he was feeling tired after the game, the Inter Miami captain is expected to feature tonight for the Herons away to Atlanta United, with the 37-year-old also set to play on the weekend at New York City FC.
And manager Tata Martino has now shared the latest fitness update on Messi.
Messi looking good despite feeling tired after Inter Miami return
Speaking to the press ahead of tonight’s MLS tie against Atlanta, Martino said Messi is looking sharp and good in training even with the forward feeling tired after Saturday’s win, with the Inter Miami manager saying it will be hard to take the attacker out of the XI.
Martino said when asked about Messi’s fitness after his Inter Miami return: “Leo came out of the last game fine. Obviously, he was tired, it was his first 90 minutes after a long time, but he finished very well.
“He will travel to both games, but we have three games in one week, two on the road, so we have to go day by day and not stretch him or the other players. With the international break, he had 15 days to get back into game shape and when he starts a game, it is very difficult to take him out.
“He was feeling good and even when he is tired, his mind is still working, anything can happen.”
Messi needs to be treated with the utmost care now that he’s back
Inter Miami have the best squad ever seen in MLS with Messi now back fully fit and putting on incredible performances despite hardly playing in the last three months for club and country.
Yet at 37-years-old and off the back of a big injury, Inter Miami need to make sure they are keeping Messi as healthy as possible heading into the post-season play-offs later this year.
Messi’s fitness will be key for Inter Miami in their bid to win MLS Cup, and whilst the forward wants to play as much as possible, there needs to be some realistic expectations as to how many minutes the Argentine is out there on the field.