Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino made it clear on Friday that 37-year-old Lionel Messi will make his return after a two-month absence because of an ankle injury. “Yes, he is fine,” said Martino during a news conference. “He trained on Thursday and he is in the plans for the game. We’ll finalize the strategy after training, but he’s available.”
The Philadelphia Union come into town on Saturday to play an Inter Miami team that sits atop the overall MLS standings and leads the Eastern Conference at the moment. Messi has not played in eight MLS matches and this month’s World Cup qualifiers with his national team after he injured his right ankle in the Copa America final on July 14th, helping Argentina defeat Colombia.
To have this situation- getting the best player in the world back into our team, which was on a very good run-already we are all very happy,” Martino added.
With Messi’s return, Inter Miami is in a good position to pursue success in the MLS.