Lionel Messi has been sidelined since the Copa America final nearly six weeks ago, with an ankle injury suffered in the trophy-winning match keeping him sidelined for more than a month.
Although the Argentine superstar is not quite ready to return to the pitch yet, he has taken an important step in the process by stepping up individual training with club Inter Miami.
Messi was spotted doing some individual work by Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul at Inter Miami’s training center in Ft. Lauderdale, which posted the video on X.
The 36-year-old has been doing some sprints and short cuts on his own, which is a good sign that he hopes to return to the field soon. He still needs to resume full training with the rest of the team before he can see the field in competition, but it looks like that could happen in the near future.
Messi was not included in Argentina’s squad for the international break in early September, indicating he still has some time to go before he is fully fit, but he could be fit for Inter Miami’s first game back after the break, on September 14 against the Philadelphia Union at home.
Leo Messi has done more work on the pitch and has already lost his injury on the pitch at one point. pic.twitter.com/vo4ScGBsId
– Gaston Edul (@gastonedul) August 28, 2024
Inter Miami will likely be very cautious with Messi’s fitness over the coming month. The club will be aiming for a Supporters’ Shield at the top of the MLS standings, but they will almost certainly be prioritizing the MLS Cup playoffs, and keeping Messi healthy will be essential for a playoff run. With the playoffs not starting until late October, they can be confident that their Argentine superstar will get him out early in the playoff race.
He is also expected to be back on the pitch next October, when Argentina face Venezuela and Bolivia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. His absence in September could be felt, as Argentina are scheduled to face Chile and Colombia, the latter of whom is in fine form.
