Hope Grows for Messi's Return as Inter Miami Eyes MLS Glory in Final Stretch

Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has provided a glimmer of hope for fans eagerly awaiting Lionel Messi's return to the pitch. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Martino confirmed that the Argentine superstar is making significant progress in his recovery from a high ankle sprain sustained during the Copa America final against Colombia on July 14. While the timeline for Messi's return remains uncertain, Martino expressed confidence that Messi will play in at least one of Inter Miami's last nine matches of the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season. Despite not yet participating in full training with the team, Messi has begun individual training sessions under the supervision of Inter Miami's medical staff. This development has raised optimism among supporters, as the team currently sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. Martino emphasized that Messi's return will depend on how he feels and the outcomes of his training sessions, but he assured fans that Messi's presence would be felt again before the regular season concludes. In the interim, Inter Miami has managed to remain competitive without their talismanic forward. The club holds a five-point lead over FC Cincinnati and a four-point advantage over the Los Angeles Galaxy as they vie for the Supporters' Shield, awarded to the team with the best overall record in the MLS regular season. Key contributions from Messi's teammates, including Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, have been invaluable during this period. Additionally, Paraguayan players Diego Gomez and Matias Rojas have stepped up, driving Miami's push toward the postseason. As Messi continues to recover, the Argentina national team has opted to exclude him from their squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. National team coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged Messi's improvement but deemed him unfit to compete just yet. Inter Miami's resilience has been commendable, given that Messi has missed 18 out of 33 matches this season due to injury and rest. However, the team has faced challenges, including a heavy 6-1 defeat to Cincinnati earlier this month. This weekend, they will encounter Cincinnati again in a highly anticipated match in Fort Lauderdale. With the regular season set to conclude on October 19, the hope is that Messi will be back in action soon, adding his unmatched talent to Inter Miami's quest for glory and further enhancing the excitement surrounding the MLS. The coming weeks will be crucial not only for Messi's recovery but also for Inter Miami's aspirations as they navigate the final stretch of the season.