Lionel Messi could reportedly return to action from injury for Inter Miami against New York City FC at the end of this month.
The forward is currently out due to a hamstring injury which has now kept Messi out of international duty with Argentina, with the 36-year-old expected to be rested until Inter Miami face NYCFC.
The Herons travel to New Jersey this weekend to face the New York Red Bulls, though there is little hope that Messi will be named in the traveling squad given that the attacker is ruled out of international action.
Lionel Messi could return this month for Inter Miami from injury
Yet according to the Miami Herald’s Michelle Kaufman, Messi could be fit in time to face New York City at the end of this month in Florida, with the Argentine likely to be healthy to feature.
The goal for Inter Miami and manager Tata Martino is to get Messi fit enough in time to face Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a competition the Herons are eager to win.
And taking this conservative approach to Messi’s fitness will be key if Inter Miami are to progress in the tournament, with the Argentine key to the Herons’ success.
Kaufman said: “I’m assuming that if he isn’t going to play for Argentina then he won’t travel to New Jersey to play against the Red Bulls where he will have another week [to recover] for the next game against NYCFC, maybe he will be ready for that.”
Lionel Messi’s return this month is huge news
Messi’s fitness will be key if Inter Miami are to execute their plan of total domination in MLS and beyond in this season’s Champions Cup.
And the attacker missing just one extra game for the Herons could be massive in Inter Miami’s quest to start the 2024 season with a bang with their new superstar players.
Messi returning to face New York City could be big in the Argentine returning to full fitness, and the MLS fixture could be a good test for the 36-year-old to get back to looking match sharp.