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Lionel Messi at Inter Miami training (AP)
Lionel Messi is available to return for Supporters’ Shield leaders Inter Miami CF in the clash against the visiting Philadelphia Union, but it’s unclear how manager Tata Martino will use his biggest star.
Lionel Messi has been cleared to play again after taking two months to recover from an ankle injury, and Inter Miami indicated that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will return to the lineup on Saturday when the team plays host to Philadelphia.
“Messi is available,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said Friday before the team’s training session.
Martino did not reveal if Messi would start, enter the game as a substitute or if there’s a plan for a minutes restriction.
His return will be yet another lift to the club with the best record in Major League Soccer. Messi had missed nine consecutive MLS matches and 15 matches overall this season, yet the team still has the top mark in the league and has wrapped up a playoff berth.
Messi’s most recent appearance for Inter Miami was June 1, missing time first while playing for Argentina in the Copa America tournament and then because of the ankle issue.
Messi was injured while playing for Argentina in the Copa America final on July 14. He returned to group training with Inter Miami late last month, and because of a break for ongoing World Cup qualifying matches the team hasn’t played in two weeks — buying him some more time for recovery and conditioning.
Messi has 12 goals and 13 assists in 12 MLS games this season. Despite missing basically half of Inter Miami’s games, his 13 assists are third-most in MLS and he’s tied for 13th in goals.
The Herons have won eight of nine matches even without Messi available and hold a seven-point lead and a match in hand on the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Shield race, as well as an eight-point edge over Cincinnati for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Luis Suarez has 16 goals after scoring twice against Chicago and is two off the league lead.
Tai Baribo to Return Too
Meanwhile, 11th-place Philadelphia (7-11-9, 30 points) is trying to climb back into the East playoff race following a 2-0 victory at the New York Red Bulls two weekends ago. The emergence of Tai Baribo is a major reason why the Union are ascending.
The Israeli international has seven league goals and 12 in his last 11 competitive fixtures while he helped the Union to their fourth-place finish in the Leagues Cup.
The 26-year-old suffered a minor hamstring injury on duty for Israel during the September international window, but manager Jim Curtin said it appears more minor than first feared.
“He has trained well the last two days, which was surprising. He feels good and ready to go and contribute,” Curtin said.
Goalkeeper Andre Blake is again dealing with a groin injury he aggravated playing for Jamaica and is “day-to-day,” Curtin said. The three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year has played only eight league matches for the Union this season.
(With inputs from Agencies)
