Lionel Messi returns to training after latest injury recovery update: Report | Football News

The former FC Barcelona star suffered pain during the second half of the Copa America final and had to leave the field as the two teams played out a 0-0 draw. He cried and later Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal in extra time to give them a 1-0 win.

Due to the ankle ligament injury he sustained in that match, Messi has been unable to play since then. He was also not part of the Inter Miami squad and was not included in Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.

Miami head coach Tata Martino had previously given an update on Messi's return. He told the media: “He is developing well. It was predictable that he would not be with Argentina because he is not yet in a position to play, but we continue to see his development. There is no estimate because you already start to see how you feel when you also train on the field.”

“Medical work with the fitness coaches is planned. But yes, he will return before the end of the regular season.”

“I can't say approximately how many days he will be back training, but it won't be long now. Part of the injury is physical and part is mental. So we have to overcome both and I think he's going through that process right now.”

“He's getting better and better, he's been working in the field for three or four days now. We can't give a time because we don't know and it would be speculation about something that may not be possible, but it's close.”