According to ESPN, Inter Miami head coach Martino said Messi has fully recovered from his injury and he can play in his opening game against Salt Lake City on Feb. 21.
The 36-year-old Argentine star Lionel Messi suffered a groin injury in the pre-season game of Inter Miami in recent days, but as the injury improved, he started the final game of preseason against his childhood club Newell Old Boys on Thursday. It was Messi's first time facing his childhood club, having played for Newell's Old Boys between 1995 and 2000 before joining Barcelona.
After the game, Messi wrote on social **: "Ended the preseason with a very special game!! ”
Coach Martino, on the other hand, was previously a player and coach for Newell's Old Boys and holds the record for the most appearances for the club. Speaking after the game, Martino said: "It was a special game for many of us and we had such a wonderful connection with Newell. "I saw Messi fully recovered. "Messi played almost 60 minutes tonight and we want him to be fully prepared for his league debut on the 21st. ”
Martino was pleased with Messi's performance, "From what I saw on the pitch today, the way he combined and how he got to this area, I saw that he was good," he said. 'It was an important game and gave us a good feeling for the first game of the season. ”
Messi was plagued by injuries in the pre-season and spent the entire game on the bench in a friendly against the Hong Kong Stars, sparking discontent among fans.
And for Newell's Old Boys players, this game is an opportunity to compete with their idols.