After overcoming the ankle injury that kept him out for two months, Lionel Messi he returned to the field for theInter Miami and in overflowing form: the Pulga scored a brace and an assist to seal a win over Philadelphia Union and move closer to the Supporters’ Shield. The Aironi currently have 62 points in the standings from 28 games in the 2024 MLS season, 10 points clear of Cincinnati and coach Nanny Martin he does not intend to lower his guard until there is certainty of accessing the playoffs.
The next match will be against theAtlanta United on the night of Wednesday and Saturday 21 September the New York FCboth away. The Rosarino coach spoke at a press conference this morning to comment on Messi’s return: “He finished well (against Philadelphia, ed.). Tired, obviously. It’s the first 90 minutes after a long time, but he finished well”, the first words of Gerardo Martino taken from AS.
“He (Messi, ed.) will travel. There are three games in a week with travel included, so we have to take it day by day and try not to expose ourselves, not only for Leo, but also for the rest of the players due to some injuries. (…) It was a possibility. As I said before the game, his preparation was different to that of the others, where he is inserted with less rehabilitation time, he is inserted little by little into the team. In this case, the 15 days of selection were almost a fine-tuning that allowed us to evaluate him throughout the game or in the period in which he felt good, and since he was fine, he completed the entire game”, commented the coach regarding the use of the Argentine champion for the duration of the last game.
“When he comes on from the start, it is very difficult for him to come out, but beyond that, he felt good and I think the goal in the last minutes shows it, maybe he is a little more tired but he never loses his lucidity. As long as he is lucid, anything can happen,” concluded the Argentine coach about Messi.
Rankings
West Group
Los Angeles Galaxy 55 (29 games played)
Los Angeles FC 48 (27)
Real Salt Lake 47 (28)
Colorado 47 (28)
Houston 47 (29)
Seattle 46 (29)
Vancouver 45 (27)
Portland 40 (28)
Minnesota 39 (28)
Austin 34 (28)
Dallas 33 (27)
Kansas City 28 (29)
St. Louis 28 (29)
San Jose 17 (28)
East Group
Inter Miami 62 (28 games played)
Cincinnati 52 (28)
Columbus 50 (27)
New York Red Bulls 43 (29)
Orlando 40 (28)
New York City 40 (28)
Charlotte 38 (28)
Toronto 36 (29)
D.C. United 33 (29)
Atlanta 31 (28)
Philly 30 (28)
Montreal 30 (28)
Chicago 29 (29)
Nashville 29 (28)
New England 26 (28)