Lionel Messi set to return for MLS club Inter Miami after two months out | Football News

The Argentine star is available for Miami’s MLS match against Philadelphia after being sidelined since July 14 when he suffered a sprained ankle.

Lionel Messi is set to return to action with his Major League Soccer club Inter Miami after spending more than two months out of action with an ankle injury, Miami coach Gerardo Martino confirms.

Messi has not played since twisting his right ankle in Argentina’s win over Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final on July 14. He last played for Inter Miami on June 1 but will be available for selection against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Martino said.

“Yes, he’s fine now,” Martino told reporters on Friday.

“Yesterday he resumed training. He is considered for tomorrow’s match and after training we will define the strategy for him, but he is available. We are going to have the best player in the world in the team again, so we are all happy with this situation.”

Messi missed Wednesday’s session with a sore throat before taking part in the Herons’ session on Thursday.

“Luckily, (the sore throat) only lasted one day. Yesterday he trained normally. Let’s hope he continues to evolve today,” Martino said. “It’s about taking into account everything that happened to define the strategy.”

Inter Miami is closing in on the Supporters’ Shield and first place in the Eastern Conference playoffs with 59 points from 27 games.

The 37-year-old forward has recorded 12 goals and 13 assists in just 12 MLS games this season, the fastest 25-goal haul in league history.

He missed eight MLS games for his club and this month’s World Cup qualifiers for his country.

World champions and Copa America winners Argentina were without their iconic captain and suffered a surprise away defeat to Colombia on Tuesday.