Lionel Messi returns from a hamstring injury for Inter Miami’s match against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night at Chase Stadium. Messi is on the team’s matchday roster.
Messi was injured during Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match in March. He was pulled 50 minutes into the win over Nashville after scoring 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 decision, head coach Gerardo Martino said. Messi did not return.
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We’re back home tomorrow to face Colorado Rapids, check out the full squad: pic.twitter.com/9XeK47uWy3
– Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 5, 2024
Messi’s return to the Inter Miami team is a positive sign for the striker, who was sidelined for almost a month recovering from a hamstring injury. Argentina’s senior team was also without its captain for two international friendlies on American soil, a crucial moment for the team ahead of the Copa America in June.
But just because Messi is on his club’s matchday roster doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll see multiple minutes. Miami head coach Tata Martino told reporters earlier this week that the team is managing Messi’s minutes and will do “what’s best for Leo,” so the star’s playing time will surely be limited.
Inter Miami’s regular season match against Colorado on Saturday at home is also typically a low-stakes game, providing a valuable opportunity for Messi to get some minutes under his belt. It’s best that he returns to competition, especially as Miami next turns its attention to Monterrey in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup next week.
The Argentine also needs to ensure he is in top shape for the Copa America, which starts in two months.
Inter Miami is 3-2-2 and second in the Eastern Conference.
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(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)