Since winning the Copa America 2024, Lionel Messi has not played again.
The 37-year-old superstar suffered an ankle ligament injury in the final,
but both the Argentina national team and Inter Miami have kept information about this injury secret. Therefore, Messi’s return date is still a big question mark.
In a new interview, coach Tata Martino himself did not know when the team’s biggest star would recover.
“Leo’s injury (Messi’s nickname) is still progressing as expected, but I cannot say exactly when he will return. Messi is still training separately.
Of course, Messi’s absence affects the team. We have many difficulties, but it is also an opportunity for other players to show their ability.
That is what we are aiming for, a quality squad, not just relying on one player. I hope he can return soon. For now, we need to fight our best during Messi’s absence.”
Tomorrow (6:30 a.m., August 14, Vietnam time), Inter Miami will have to visit Columbus Crew Club in the 1/8 round of the Leagues Cup. The team of president David Beckham is the defending champion. Last season, Messi shone brightly to help Inter Miami win the first cup in history.
However, the ability of the Argentine superstar to play in the 2024 Leagues Cup is being questioned. The final match of the tournament will take place on August 25, which is less than 2 weeks away. Whether Inter Miami can make it to the final match and whether Messi can recover in time is still a difficult question to answer.
The American press has begun to criticize the 37-year-old superstar for missing half of Inter Miami’s matches (13/25 matches). If counting in 2024 alone, the number of matches Inter Miami will have to play without Messi is 17/29 matches.
Yahoo Sports brought up the argument from other older American stars who have just participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics, such as Lebron James in basketball, Simone Biles (gymnastics) or Katie Ledecky (swimming). According to the writer, those are the real “leading birds” and not “superstars who are often absent due to injury or playing for the national team like Messi”.
In response to that criticism, Messi did not respond. Instead, the former Barcelona star shared the latest photo of him going to the beach with his family.
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Source: USA Today
