Lionel Messi has been cleared to play again after spending two months recovering from an ankle injury. Inter Miami has suggested that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will be back in the lineup on Saturday when the team faces Philadelphia.
“Messi is available,” said Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino on Friday, before the team’s training session.
Martino did not specify whether Messi would start the game, come in as a substitute, or if there would be any restrictions on his playing time.
Messi’s return is expected to boost the club, which currently has the best record in Major League Soccer. Despite missing nine consecutive MLS matches and 15 games in total this season, the team still leads the league and has secured a playoff spot.
Messi’s last appearance for Inter Miami was on June 1. He missed time first for the Copa America tournament with Argentina and then because of his ankle injury.
Messi was hurt while playing for Argentina in the Copa America final on July 14. He resumed group training with Inter Miami late last month. The team has had a two-week break due to World Cup qualifying matches, which allowed Messi extra time for recovery and conditioning.
This season, Messi has scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists in 12 MLS games. Even though he has missed almost half of Inter Miami’s matches, his 13 assists rank third in MLS and he is tied for 13th in goals.
