Inter Miami star Lionel Messi could return to the field when the MLS side take on LA Galaxy on Sunday, as the Florida-based side gears up for a string of crucial fixtures. Miami will take on Mexican club
Tigres UANL on Wednesday in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals.
Messi sustained a muscle injury during Miami’s previous Leagues Cup clash against Necaxa and has been out of action since. Miami head coach Javier Mascherano revealed that he has been training with the team since midweek.
“Leo is doing well,” Mascherano said on Friday.
“He has been training with the team since Wednesday. Unless something strange happens during today’s training session, we think he’ll be available for tomorrow’s game.”
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Miami secured a 3-1 victory against Pumas UNAM on Thursday in their final group stage match of the Leagues Cup, despite Messi’s absence. Goals from Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, and Tadeo Allende helped Miami come back after Jorge Ruvalcaba had initially put the Mexican side ahead.
Messi, the magician from Rosario who led Argentina to their third World Cup title in the 2022 edition held in Qatar, was substituted in the 11th minute of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against the Mexican side Necaxa at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale following a collision with opposition defender Alexis Pena. Miami eventually won 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regular play.
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Mascherano lauded the quality the LA Galaxy possess and called on his side to take the challenge very seriously to avoid any surprise.
“For me, they’re a team in which the MLS standings don’t reflect their quality, especially the quality of their players,” Mascherano said.
“The reality is that maybe they didn’t start the season well because of injuries and different situations. But they’ve improved a lot over the last few months.”
