Superstar Lionel Messi had his first training session with Inter Miami since being injured in the 2024 Copa America final.
During Mіami’s latest training session, cameras spotted superstar Lionel Messi taking his first steps since being injured at the 2024 Copa América.
The 37-year-old warmed up alone with a trainer, first in his light blue boots and then in pink ones. He moved well as he did leg exercises and short runs. Messi then changed into a green recovery shirt and took part in a group drill, in which players stand in a circle and pass the ball to each other.
Messi has started training again for Inter Miami. Photo: screenshot
Messi has missed 19 of Inter Miami’s 34 games this season due to injuries and being required to play for Argentina. The former Barca star has missed the last seven games since suffering an ankle injury, including the most recent win over Cincinnati.
Coach Tata Martin said he could not predict exactly when Messi would return, but confirmed the Inter Miami captain will be back soon.
“The moment of his return will depend on how he feels after starting to train with the team,” he said. “Messi has not yet trained with the team, but in the last three or four days he has been on the pitch working with the team. I am a physiotherapist and I am improving a lot.”
Coach Tata Martin confirmed that Messi will return soon. Photo: Getty
The Argentine coach also said that the recovery process of an athlete is not only physical but also mental, and Messi is recovering both physically and mentally as he returns to training on the field.
Inter Miami travel to Chicago Fire this weekend and Messi is unlikely to be fit in time. The Herons will play Philadelphia Union at home and, barring any setbacks, that could be a good time for Messi to return. It would give him seven games of the season to get back into form before the playoffs.