Is Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami this weekend? MLS schedule

Inter Miami look to continue their incredible 2024 form when they travel to the Chicago Fire this weekend, bolstered by the news that their captain has returned to training following a lengthy injury lay-off.

Lionel Messi has not featured for the Herons since June 1. The 37-year-old was at Copa América with the Argentina national team for six weeks and then picked up an ankle injury in the final that has kept him on the sidelines.

However this week it was confirmed that Messi had returned to the practice field and is now training with his teammates. Could Messi make an appearance at Solider Field on Saturday? Speaking on Thursday, head coach Tata Martino sounded positive about his captain’s injury recovery.

“In Leo’s case, as I said the other day, I cannot specify a time but he is already on the field. He’s already working with the trainers. He is no longer in the medical team’s area, he is training with the ball,” Martino revealed.

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Will Messi play for Inter Miami against Chicago Fire?

But while Tata Martino is happy with Messi’s progress, he admitted that there’s still work to be done to get him back to match fitness.

“It is a matter of starting to get him into a physical shape and recover a bit of that physicality that any player loses when he is out for five or six weeks,” Martino explained.

“He feels confident that he is leaving the injury behind. It is something that I believe is not far from happening.”

Inter Miami have already booked their place in the playoffs and are hold a four-point lead at the top of the Supporters’ Shield rankings, having played one game fewer than closest rivals LA Galaxy. With that in mind, Martino will be eager to avoid rushing back Messi prematurely and will now focus on ensuring that his veteran stars are at 100% as we approach the post-season, the time when their quality can be a real difference-maker for the Herons.