Lionel Messi is returning from a hamstring injury for Inter Miami’s match against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night at Chase Stadium. Messi is listed on the team’s match-day roster.
Messi sustained the injury in Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory over Nashville in a CONCACAF Champions Cup game in March. He was withdrawn 50 minutes into the win over Nashville having earlier netted his fifth goal of the season.
Messi was close to returning earlier this week, as his availability for Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Monterrey was a game-time decision, head coach Gerardo Martino said. Messi did not return.
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We’re back home tomorrow to take on Colorado Rapids, find out the full squad: https://t.co/a2HrCLUqbh pic.twitter.com/9XeK47uWy3
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 5, 2024
Messi’s return to Inter Miami’s roster is a positive sign for the striker, who has been on the sidelines for nearly a month recovering from a hamstring injury. Argentina’s senior side was also without their captain for two international friendlies on U.S. soil, which was a crucial time for the team to gel ahead of Copa America in June.
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But Messi being on his club’s match-day roster doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll see many minutes. Miami head coach Tata Martino told reporters earlier this week the team is managing Messi’s minutes and will do “what is best for Leo,” so the star’s time in the game will surely be limited.
Inter Miami’s regular-season match against Colorado on Saturday at home is generally a low-stakes game too, offering a valuable opportunity for Messi to get some minutes under his belt. It’s best he eases back into competition, especially as Miami then shifts its focus to facing Monterrey in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup next week.
The Argentine also has to make sure he’s in top health for Copa America, which kicks off in two months.
Inter Miami is 3-2-2 and second in the Eastern Conference.
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(Photo: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)