Inter Miami provide Lionel Messi fitness update

Inter Miami shared Messi fitness update before their much-anticipated MLS season opener against Real Salt Lake at their home ground on Wednesday, February 21st.

The fans eagerly await Messi's performance in this exciting match.

Messi, 36, joined the Herons last summer on a free transfer and made an immediate impact.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner scored in his first seven games as the MLS side won the inaugural League Cup for the first title in their six-year history.

The Argentine player, however, did not have the same impact in the MLS despite scoring in his highly anticipated league debut.

Injuries affected both him and Miami's season as Tata Martino's team briefly flirted with making it to the postseason but ultimately fell short without their inspirational captain.

As reported by Albiceleste Talk (via Kauf Sports), the manager of the Herons, Martino, has mentioned that Messi is prepared to play the entire game against Real Salt Lake at the DRV PNK Stadium in Miami.


It's pertinent to note that the Argentinian missed the Hong Kong XI friendly during their pre-season trip due to injury and also played limited minutes in a few other games.


Messi is set to play his first competitive game for club and country in three months since featuring for Argentina in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign in November.

How did Lionel Messi perform during the pre-season with Inter Miami?

Lionel Messi had a lackluster pre-season with his club, Inter Miami.

The Argentine star participated in six out of seven games but managed only one goal.

This lone goal occurred in a 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal, the current leaders of the Saudi Pro League, during the Riyadh Season Cup opener, which was a friendly tournament held in Riyadh on January 29.

Before this, Messi failed to score in a goalless draw against El Salvador in the team's pre-season debut match. The Herons then suffered a 1-0 defeat against FC Dallas.

After the loss to Al-Hilal, Martino's squad endured a heavy 6-0 defeat to Al-Naassr, during which Messi only played for a short period after coming on as a substitute.

Following his absence in the subsequent friendly match, a 4-1 victory against Hong Kong XI, Messi did not complete the full 90 minutes in a penalty shootout loss to Vissel Kobe after another goalless draw.

He was substituted at the hour mark in Inter Miami's 1-1 home draw against his childhood club, Newell's Old Boys, concluding the pre-season campaign.

Source: sportskeeda