Lionel Messi seems to have completely healed from the injury that affected his pre-season, just in time for the beginning of the 2024 MLS season.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner‘s fitness became a major topic of discussion during an extraordinary international tour with Inter Miami, which included visits to El Salvador, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong. His absence from a friendly match in the Far East caused a significant uproar, both in the sports world and politically.
Messi managed to participate in an hour of the Herons’ last practice match against his childhood club, Newell’s Old Boys. Despite this, he is eager and ready to start the upcoming domestic season in the United States.
When Tata Martino was asked about the current status of the Argentine legend, he informed reporters: “Our plan was for Leo to play 45 to 60 minutes, and he played almost 60 and felt good. The way he was playing, the way he accelerated, it looked like he was fully recovered. The idea is for him to be ready for the 21st.”
Inter Miami will kick off their MLS season at home against Real Salt Lake on February 21. Martino acknowledges that there could be further transfers happening before that game, both incoming and outgoing, including a potential deal for Argentine midfielder Federico Redondo, which is reportedly nearing completion.
