After last night’s friendly against Newell’s Old Boys, Tata Martino, the manager of Inter Miami, has provided an update on Lionel Messi’s fitness.
For the first time in three games, the Herons skipper was included in the starting lineup. Messi and Luis Suarez played together for more than an hour.
Messi’s health has been a hot topic in recent weeks after the Argentine caused a global commotion in Hong Kong by being unable to start a friendly earlier in the month.
However, Martino stated in an interview with the Miami Herald that Messi is more fit than ever, having fully recovered from an injury that had sidelined the forward in recent weeks.
Following Inter Miami’s friendly match against Newell’s Old Boys, Martino responded to a question on Messi’s fitness by saying, “Our plan was for Leo to play 45 to 60 minutes and he played almost 60 and felt good.”
“The way he was playing, the way he accelerated, it looked like he is fully recovered. The idea is for him to be ready for the 21st.”
For Inter Miami, Lionel Messi’s matchup with Newell’s Old Boys could not have gone any better.
Messi didn’t score against the team of his youth, but Inter Miami will be happy with the way the evening unfolded with the Argentine star.
Messi looked terrific for Inter Miami going into the MLS opener next week. He was lively and dangerous with the ball and had solid communication with his teammates.
And what the Herons will be most focused on following this matchup is the attacker who played for well over an hour of soccer without suffering any injuries.
Messi might have easily developed another injury, but he managed to leave the game unscathed. Inter Miami will be hoping that the attacker is able to play the entire ninety minutes against Real Salt Lake the following week.