Lionel Messi has not stepped foot on a soccer field in nearly two months, with the Inter Miami and Argentina captain out of action.
The forward twisted his ankle in the Copa America final with Messi since recovering from his latest injury problem, with the attacker only now starting to return to full training with Inter Miami.
Whilst Herons manager Tata Martino is confident Messi will feature this weekend for the Florida franchise against the Philadelphia Union, there is yet to be an official update on when the 37-year-old will be back playing.
Yet Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni might have just hinted when Messi will be back playing for Inter Miami.
Messi could be fit for Argentina for the next international break
Speaking to the press ahead of tomorrow’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Colombia, Scaloni revealed that Messi is in line to be named in Argentina’s next international squad if the forward is match-fit.
With the forward expected to be in Inter Miami’s squad for this weekend’s tie against the Union, there’s a real chance that Messi could be ready to play international football next month for Argentina in October.
And with Inter Miami heading into the MLS play-offs, Messi getting some international minutes could be big for the attacker’s fitness, especially if the 37-year-old can avoid another big injury.
Scaloni said when asked about Messi’s return: “We hope that Messi starts playing soon. When we have to give the next list we will communicate with everyone and he will not be the exception. This will be in approximately two weeks. Then we will see if he is fit.”
Inter Miami need to know Messi is 100% fit before returning to international soccer
Messi’s return is just around the corner, with Inter Miami fans eager to see the club’s best player finally make his long-awaited comeback to the pitch having not played in MLS since June.
Yet Inter Miami still need to be cautious about Messi’s fitness, with the attacker still not at 100% with the Herons at a period in the season where they simply cannot lose their captain to another injury.
Indeed, Messi needs to be at his best for the final months of the season, and a return to the Argentina set-up should only happen if the attacker is fully fit and raring to go for his national team in October.
