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Inter Miami already concerned about Lionel Messi before 2025 MLS season

Argentina captain Messi was the MLS’ top scorer in 2024 despite an injury-hit year. The Herons want to learn from past mistakes.

Inter Miami - Atlanta United en vivo: Messi y Suárez por Playoffs MLS 2024 en directo
CHRIS ARJOONAFP

Inter Miami are back in training and will soon be back in action, with one significant challenge: keeping Lionel Messi fit and injury-free. The Argentine’s physical condition was a major headache for the club last season, with injuries hampering his performance, and the team suffering as a result. As The Herons’ preseason kicks off, everyone is aware that in a crucial year, with the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup around the corner, having their captain fit is paramount.

“We have several preseason games, and we’ll see how many minutes he plays based on how he feels. We don’t want to take any risks. The overall feeling is good, and we’re happy with how everyone has returned from vacation, allowing us to push them from day one,” new head coach Javier Mascherano told the media in Fort Lauderdale.

A fully fit and firing Messi, as if it weren’t obvious, is vital for Inter Miami. The former Barcelona ended the 2024 season as the MLS MVP with 23 goals and 13 assists in 25 games. Despite being the league’s top scorer, various injuries limited his participation, causing him to miss a staggering 23 games across all competitions. The club believes this ordeal began in the preseason.

Inter Miami to learn from Messi mistakes

The team’s global tour 12 months ago took Inter Miami across three continents, playing five games and covering over 7,000 miles in less than two weeks. It’s a situation they don’t want to repeat this year, aware of the physical toll it takes on the players.

“We will do a tour, but it will be one where we take care of the players’ physical needs first and foremost. It will be different from last year. To ensure the players can have a proper season, we won’t compromise their well-being for global exposure. This preseason will be different,” Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said at Mascherano’s unveiling.

This preseason, the club has therefore planned only a tour across the Americas. The longest trip scheduled so far is to Lima, Peru, for a friendly against Universitario. In a year in which all eyes will be on the Floridians, the Herons don’t want to repeat past mistakes as they aim to win it all.

Original article written by Eduardo Burgos Rodríguez, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.

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