Gerardo Martino, head coach of MLS club Inter Miami, has stated that he is unsure of the timeline for Lionel Messi's return to the field.
It is worth noting that Messi sustained an ankle injury in mid-July during the Copa America 2024 final against Colombia, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Argentina. Without Messi, Inter Miami was eliminated from the League Cup in the Round of 16 on August 14, losing to reigning MLS champions Columbus Crew by a score of 3-2.
Leo is progressing as expected, but there’s still no precise date for when he might rejoin the group. He continues to work separately. Leo’s absence affects us in different ways. At times, his absence is compounded by the absence of other key players. But even when it’s just him missing, it’s a significant factor.
Gerardo Martino, quoted by Goal
Martino emphasized that the team becomes truly competitive when all key players are on the field. He acknowledged that Messi's return is a priority for the club, but the team must still perform well in his absence.