October 01, (THEWILL) – Inter Miami fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Lionel Messi after the Argentine superstar was sidelined with injury last month. Messi, who joined the MLS club in a sensational summer transfer, has been out of action since limping off after just 37 minutes against Toronto in September.
Miami Manager, Tata Martino, has remained tight-lipped about the exact nature of Messi’s muscular problem, only confirming that it is not a hamstring tear. Martino insisted Messi “will surely play before the end of the season” but was reluctant to put a date on the 36-year-old’s comeback.
With only four regular season matches remaining, time is fast running out for supporters hoping to see Messi in a Miami shirt before the playoffs. The club sit four points adrift of the final playoff spot but will fancy their chances of qualifying with a fit Messi leading the charge.
After returning from the last international break with Argentina, the former Barcelona man has not been able to play 90 minutes for the Lauderdale club, watching subsequent defeats to Atlanta and Cincinnati from the stands.
Messi’s absence has not dented his commercial pull, though. Miami’s Instagram following has exploded since his arrival, swelling by over 14 million to make them one of the most popular clubs in the league online. Still, supporters, who have purchased tickets, often at exorbitant rates, primarily to see Messi ply his trade will feel short-changed if he does not return soon.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
