Lionel Messi returns to MLS club Inter Miami after two-month break | Football news

The Argentine star is available for Miami's MLS game against Philadelphia after being out since July 14 due to an ankle sprain.

Lionel Messi is expected to return to action with his Major League Soccer club Inter Miami after being sidelined for more than two months with an ankle injury, Miami coach Gerardo Martino confirmed.

Messi has not played since spraining his right ankle in Argentina's victory over Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final on July 14. He last played for Inter Miami on June 1 but will return to action on Saturday against Philadelphia Union, Martino said.

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

“He started training again yesterday. He will be considered for tomorrow's match and after training we will decide the strategy for him, but he is available. We will have the best player in the world in the team again, so we are all happy with this situation.”

Messi missed Wednesday's training session due to a sore throat before joining the Herons' training session on Thursday.

“Fortunately, [the sore throat] lasted only one day. Yesterday he trained normally. Let's hope he continues to develop today,” said Martino. “It's about taking into account everything that happened to determine the strategy.”

With 59 points from 27 games, Inter Miami is moving closer to the Supporters' Shield and the first playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The 37-year-old striker has scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists in just 12 MLS games this season – the fastest player to reach 25 goals in league history.

He has 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 great captain as the team suffered a surprise away defeat in Colombia on Tuesday.