Lionel Messi ramps up training ahead of return from ankle injury for Inter Miami, Argentina

Kyle Bonn

•
Lionel Messi ramps up training ahead of return from ankle injury for Inter Miami, Argentina image

Lionel Messi has been sidelined since the Copa America final nearly six weeks ago, suffering an ankle injury in the trophy match that has kept him shelved for over a month.

While the Argentine superstar is not quite ready to return to the field just yet, he's taken an important step in the process as he has ramped up individual training with club Inter Miami.

Messi was spotted doing individual work by Argentine journalist Gaston Edul at Inter Miami's training facility in Ft. Lauderdale, who posted the video on X.

MORE: All the latest soccer action | Lionel Messi news 

The 36-year-old was doing sprints and cuts on his own, a good sign that he is hoping to work his way back onto the field soon. He still has to make his way back to full training with the rest of the squad before he can see the pitch competitively, but it feels like that could come in the near future.

Messi was not included in the Argentina squad for the early September international break, indicating he still has some time before being fully healthy, but he could be fit for Inter Miami's first match back after the pause, coming September 14 against the Philadelphia Union at home.

Inter Miami will likely be very careful with Messi's fitness in the coming month. The club is chasing a Supporters' Shield at the top of the MLS standings, but they will almost surely prioritize the MLS Cup playoffs, and having Messi healthy for a postseason run will be critical. With the playoffs not starting until late October, they can be safe with their Argentine superstar to unleash him at the start of the postseason run.

He will also likely be back on the field by the time Argentina take the field in October, when they take on Venezuela and Bolivia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. His absence in September could be felt, as they are set for games against Chile and Colombia, with the latter on a massive run of form.

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.