Lionel Messi has emerged as a target for a return to Inter Miami as the injured No.10 continues to recover from an ankle problem.
The Argentine star suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle during the Copa America final on July 14 and has not played since. And partly due to his commitments with the national team, he has not played for his club since June 1.
Now, Argentine outlet Old has predicted that Messi will have a “dream” return with Inter Miami against the Chicago Fire on August 31.
The outlet notes that it could be “risky” for Messi, who has not yet returned to training, to see the pitch in just 12 days.
If he doesn’t play against the Fire, he would have a couple more weeks to rest before potentially facing the Union on Sept. 14, which Olé considers more realistic.
Lionel Messi remains out of Inter Miami after suffering an ankle injury last month
However, he has been enjoying his time off the court as he and his family went on vacation.
Additionally, AP reported last month that the Fire said they will offer vouchers to fans if Messi does not play in the match.
The Fire said in a statement in July that they expect Messi to play. If he can’t, the team said it would offer single-game buyers who purchase between now and game day $250 off two or more new 2025 Chicago Fire season tickets or $100 off two or more single-game tickets for the 2025 home game against Inter Miami.
If fans had already purchased tickets, the Fire said they would offer the opportunity to claim two complimentary tickets to the Fire’s Fan Appreciation Night on Oct. 19 against Nashville.
The return against Unión on September 14 would be exactly two months after Messi’s injury in the Copa América final against Colombia, which Argentina was ultimately able to win 1-0 without him.
Messi was injured during the Copa America final against Colombia on July 14 in Miami
He and his wife Antonela jointly posted photos of a family day out on the boat last month on Instagram.
However, Messi appears to have enjoyed his time off the pitch, as he was seen earlier this month enjoying a holiday with his wife, Antonella, and their three children.
The family enjoyed a day out on the boat as Messi and Antonela shared some snaps of the outing together on Instagram.
The Argentine star, due to his persistent injury, was not called up to the national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.
He has also started just 11 of Miami’s 25 games this year, though the Herons are still in first place in the Eastern Conference.
