Current:Home > ContactLionel Messi is back, training with Inter Miami. When will he return to competition? -Excel Money Vision
Lionel Messi is back, training with Inter Miami. When will he return to competition?
View
Date:2025-04-16 03:19:57
World Cup champion Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami practice Wednesday for the first time since injuring his ankle during the Copa America final last month.
The 37-year-old star completed individual drills before joining his Miami teammates on the field for his first public practice since he sustained a right ankle ligament injury during the July 14 showdown that Argentina won against Colombia.
While Messi had already resumed individual work last week, Wednesday marked his first appearance practicing with his teammates, a significant step in his recovery process.
Latest on Messi ankle injury
Messi has missed the last seven of Miami’s games due to the injury, but has not played with his MLS side since June 1 because of his international duty with Argentina. Despite the absence of its star player, Inter Miami has had a stellar season. The team currently leads the MLS Eastern Conference, six points ahead of second-place Cincinnati, and has already clinched a playoff spot after defeating Cincinnati 2-0 Saturday.
When will Messi return for Miami?
Miami Head Coach Tata Martino said last week that Messi will return before the end of the MLS season, but the exact date of his return was still up in the air. The MLS season lasts through the middle of October.
Inter Miami’s next game is an away matchup against Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, which may still be too soon for Messi’s long-awaited return to the pitch. If that's the case, Messi’s next possible return date would be Miami’s Sept. 14 home game against Philadelphia. Argentina did not select Messi for its upcoming World Cup qualifying matches Sept. 5 and 10, allowing the star player more time to recover.
USA TODAY Sports reporter Safid Deen contributed to this report.
veryGood! (272)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- The Daily Money: Should bridesmaids go broke?
- UFL schedule for Week 6 games: Odds, times, how to stream and watch on TV
- Sandra Doorley timeline: Police chief defends officer who stopped DA in viral video case
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Small anti-war protest ruffles University of Michigan graduation ceremony
- It’s Cinco de Mayo time, and festivities are planned across the US. But in Mexico, not so much
- Alabama state senator chides male colleagues for letting parental leave bill die
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Lando Norris earns 1st career F1 victory by ending Verstappen’s dominance at Miami
Ranking
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Where pro-Palestinian university protests are happening around the world
- Lando Norris earns 1st career F1 victory by ending Verstappen’s dominance at Miami
- Shooting suspect dies following police standoff that closed I-80 in Bay Area Friday
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Second juror in New Hampshire youth center abuse trial explains verdict, says state misinterpreted
- UFL schedule for Week 6 games: Odds, times, how to stream and watch on TV
- Berkshire’s profit plunges 64% on portfolio holdings as Buffett sells Apple
Recommendation
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Sandra Doorley timeline: Police chief defends officer who stopped DA in viral video case
Kentucky Derby: How to watch, the favorites and what to expect in the 150th running of the race
Russia calls France leader Macron refusing to rule out troops for Ukraine very dangerous
Trump's 'stop
Hundreds rescued from Texas floods as forecast calls for more rain and rising water
Morgan Wallen's next court appearance date set in Nashville rooftop chair throwing case
You'll Love These 25 Secrets About The Mummy Even if You Hate Mummies