Tata Martino provides fresh injury update on Lionel Messi as Inter Miami star continues recovery

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino provided a fresh injury update on Argentine superstar Lionel Messi after their elimination from the Leagues Cup. The 37-year-old has missed the last 11 games for the Herons, having picked up multiple injuries during La Albiceleste's successful Copa America 2024 campaign.

Messi suffered injuries to his groin and ankle ligaments through the course of the continental competition. He had to be substituted off the field in the 66th minute of the final against Colombia, which Argentina eventually won 1-0.

Despite missing their superstar forward's services, Inter Miami have won eight of their last 11 games. While one of the losses, a 3-2 defeat to Columbus Crew, saw them get eliminated from the Leagues Cup, they still remain atop the MLS' Eastern Conference standings.

Yet, the question remains - when will Messi be back in action? According to journalist Michelle Kaufman, Martino has dropped a few hints to indicate that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner might miss more time than initially expected.

She was quoted as saying by intermiami.news:

"They basically have one week off before they're playing again on August 24th, and the man (Messi) still hasn't stepped out on the field, he's still just working by himself in the gym.

"Tata has been saying before that he hopes to have the squad, including Messi, fit before the end of August. But the day before Columbus, the wording changed to 'we don't have an estimate as to his return yet', so that little wording change was a tiny red flag," Kaufman concluded.

Messi remains Inter Miami's top forward in the 2024 campaign, with a team-high 12 goals (joint with Luis Suarez) and nine assists in 12 games.

"He's in every day, working with trainers" - Lionel Messi's Inter Miami teammate expresses hope over superstar's return from injury

Inter Miami shotstopper Drake Callender has revealed that Lionel Messi has been working with the club's trainers everyday in an attempt to return to the field as soon as possible.

The 26-year-old said (via GOAL):

“It's been unfortunate that we haven't had Leo the last two months and he's a player you want on your roster, playing games, helping us win games. But other players have stepped up and helped us out. He's such a big presence on our team when he's with us, and even when he's not playing.

"He's in every day, working with trainers and I think it's important for the guys to see how he takes care of himself and responds to an injury and hopefully, we'll be able to have him back soon," Callender concluded.

Messi will likely not feature in Inter Miami's upcoming MLS matchup with Eastern Conference rivals FC Cincinnati on August 24.