Messi returns to training Thursday in advance of Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia game
Good news for Inter Miami fans: Lionel Messi was back on the field training Thursday morning after missing the Wednesday practice with a head cold.
Coach Tata Martino had targeted the home game Saturday against the Philadelphia Union for Messi’s return after a two-month layoff for an ankle injury. Martino will address Messi’s status during his pregame media interview Friday morning.
Messi has missed 20 of 35 games this season due to injury and national team duty, including the past eight after injuring his right ankle while playing for Argentina in the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium July 14.
Inter Miami, which has clinched a playoff spot, returns to action Saturday after the two-week FIFA international break and leads the Supporters Shield race with seven games to go in the regular season. Miami has 59 points, seven points ahead of second-place Los Angeles Galaxy (52). Cincinnati is in third place with 51 points, the Columbus Crew is fourth with 49 and Los Angeles FC is fifth with 48.
Philadelphia is in 11th place with 30 points in the Eastern Conference, battling to get above the playoff line.
Union coach Jim Curtin said of the matchup: “We play the best team in MLS this weekend, in their building with the possibility of Messi maybe coming back. We have to prepare for that, prepare for their best group. It will take a perfect performance on the road to bring back points to Philly.”
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. game Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale start at $60 on TicketMaster, and the cheapest seats were selling on secondary outlets in the $30 to $40 range.
This story was originally published September 12, 2024 at 3:15 PM.