Lionel Messi's injury recovery: Inter Miami coach updates

[{"selector":"#anim-dd890bfe-7b42-4c74-b62f-307a19c385d1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Lionel Messi, Inter Miami's top player, is reaching the finish of his ankle injury recovery from the Copa America final against Colombia earlier this year.

[{"selector":"#anim-ebed7bf3-2033-4d49-9113-aece9f001388 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] He missed three months with his club and Argentina due to injury.

[{"selector":"#anim-cddc52e4-4a32-434c-8a70-24a1d9443f2a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Messi might return to the field on September 14, according to Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino.

[{"selector":"#anim-ae696950-2080-42f2-a3bc-0b7ebb20f4e1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-54.73992609114971%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Messi's return is expected on September 14, Inter Miami's MLS match against Philadelphia Union.

[{"selector":"#anim-e34112f0-d144-432a-b194-36944379b626 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Martino stated this in a press conference after Inter Miami's 4-1 win over Chicago Fire. He said Messi has been training with the club and they hope he will be ready for Philadelphia.

[{"selector":"#anim-7c761f88-1851-4884-8cbe-d34fa7a5403a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] As previously reported, Messi will miss Argentina's FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.

[{"selector":"#anim-75eeff29-fa4b-4433-b18a-e34a8dde39f0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged this while naming the 28-man team for September 5 and 10 matches.

[{"selector":"#anim-6e92e172-3963-4a5b-b5a5-c64da6766537 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Argentina leads South American 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying with 15 points. Messi's ankle injury from the Copa America final is still healing.

[{"selector":"#anim-f127dadd-b5ab-4824-9987-68240ecbc053 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-53.26891456362647%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] First-half right ankle injury for Argentine. He left in the 66th minute after playing through pain in the second half.