MLS
Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino gives Messi fitness update
Despite returning to training weeks ago, Martino admitted that Lionel Messi is yet to be given the green light to get back on the pitch for Inter Miami.
Leo Messi has not played since he had to come off in the final of the Copa América 2024, where Argentina won the trophy after beating Colombia in the United States. And now, finally, according to Gerardo Martino, the Inter Miami captain is getting closer to returning to action. Ahead of the MLS side’s away game to the Chicago Fire, Martino opened up on the fitness of their star forward.
So far for Inter Miami, the 2024 season has been a success. Following their victory against Cincinnati last week, where Luis Suárez was the hero with a brace, the team has secured a spot in the playoffs with at least eight games remaining. They currently lead the Eastern Conference with 56 points, boasting 17 wins, five draws, and only four defeats.
Relaxing would be ‘a big mistake’ says Martino
They now must travel to Soldier Field to face a Chicago Fire team eager to earn three points, as they currently sit in 13th place with just 26 points. “In MLS, you don’t get many easy games. This is a team that beat us by four goals when we visited them last year, and they are still fighting for a playoff spot. We also have a lot to play for—not in terms of titles, but in achieving our goals.
“Our objective is to win the Supporters’ Shield. If we think we can relax just because we qualified for the playoffs last season, we would be making a big mistake. That kind of mindset could mean we enter the playoffs in poor form,” Tata admitted to the media.
As for the fitness of Leo Messi, Martino said that he is “getting better and better”, before calming the happy tapping of excited keyboards in front of him: “he still hasn’t received medical clearance, but we will decide today if he can travel to Chicago or not,” he told the press, with AS in attendance. “This is an injury he has been dealing with for more than six weeks, so he needs to be fully recovered, calm, and safe before we make a final decision,” he added.
“He began training several weeks ago, initially with the medical staff and physical trainers, and then he gradually joined some parts of the training with the team. We are still evaluating his progress,” he explained, making it clear that the much-anticipated return of the Inter Miami captain is inching closer and closer.