Will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami against Cincinnati? Reports provides update

Lionel Messi is seemingly not yet fit enough to return to action for Inter Miami since injuring his ankle in the 2024 Copa America final loss to Colombia in Miami last month.

Midway through the second half of that game, La Pulga exited the contest due to a swollen right ankle, which was later diagnosed as an ankle ligament injury. He has been out of action since then for the Herons, missing six games across competitions.

More than a month since that Colombia game, Messi's return is still uncertain. As per AS, he's unlikely to feature in the Herons' MLS home clash with Cincinnati on Saturday (August 24).

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is reportedly making steady progress in his recovery, though. From initially wearing protective boots, Messi has since started walking 'normally' at the start of last week.

He continues to be evaluated by the medical staff on a 'day-to-day' basis as he trains alone in Ford Lauderdale with a personal trainer. However, as mentioned above, Messi's date of return to action remains uncertain.

In what has been a frustrating injury-plagued first full season with the Herons - whom he joined on a free transfer last summer - Lionel Messi has contributed 14 goals and 11 assists in 15 games across competitions.

That includes 12 goals and nine assists in 12 games in MLS, where Tata Martino's side are atop the Eastern Conference, five points clear of second-placed Cincinnati after 25 outings.

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How have Inter Miami fared in Lionel Messi's since the 2024 Copa America final?

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi (left)

Inter Miami have coped well in their talismanic captain Lionel Messi's absence since last month's 2024 Copa America final, where Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in extra time to win a record 16th title to defend their continental crown.

The Herons won both MLS games since then in Messi's absence, beating Toronto 3-1 at home and winning 2-1 at home to Chicago. In the Leagues Cup, Martino's side won 2-1 at Puebla, with Matias Rojas and Luis Suarez scoring, before losing 2-1 at Tigres, with Leonardo Campana bagging a consolation from the spot.

In the first knockout round, Miami prevailed 4-3 over Toronto at home in a seven-goal thriller, with Rojas, Suarez, Diego Gomez and David Martinez the scorers. However, the Herons fell 3-2 at Columbus in the next round.

Rojas and Gomez scored to give the Herons a 2-0 advantage after 62 minutes, but Columbus scored thrice without response, including an 80th-minute Diego Rossi winner, which ended Inter Miami's title defence.