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Inter Miami have been handed a major boost ahead of their CONCACAF Champions Cup clash against Nashville, with Lionel Messi returning to training.
Messi starred in the first leg last Friday, scoring the first as Miami rescued a 2-2 draw at the death thanks to a late Luis Suarez strike. But after manager Tata Martino’s comments about the veteran forward feeling “tired” amid a hectic schedule, he was rested for the Herons’ MLS clash against CF Montreal on Sunday, which ended in a 3-2 defeat. Martino has since been given a huge boost ahead of the return to cup action, with Messi back in first-team training on Tuesday.
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Messi has made a lightning start to Inter Miami’s season already, scoring four goals and providing an assist in just four matches across MLS and the CCC. His link-up with former Barcelona team-mate Suarez has been demonstrated several times as they look to spearhead a dynamite Miami attack. However, with Messi turning 37 in July and Suarez already that age, the Herons will have to learn to cope without at least one member of the veteran duo. Their defeat to Montreal on Sunday shows they still have some adapting to do.
The Herons’ boss has spoken openly about the need for 36-year-old Messi to enjoy rest periods ahead of a heavily congested season. He told reporters after Sunday’s defeat: “We talked about it about a week ago and we agreed that this was the game where he had to rest, regardless of what happened in the game with Nashville. We also must make sure our team is healthy and can last an entire season.”
It looks like both Messi and Suarez will feature in Thursday’s crunch last-16 clash, though, with Martino potentially prioritising that cup fixture over Sunday’s MLS match. The tie is delicately poised after the 2-2 draw in the first leg, with any chance of Miami progressing relying on their star forward being fully fit.
