Head coach Tata Martino recently updated positive developments on Lionel Messi’s health ahead of MLS 2024.

Inter Miami recently ended its pre-season tour with a 1-1 friendly draw with Newell’s Newells Old Boys. Messi and his teammates will have about a week to rest before entering the 2024 MLS season with the opening match against Salt Lake on February 22.

What Inter Miami fans are most concerned about right now is Messi’s fitness as he missed most of the recent friendly tour due to injury. However, the fact that M10 played 60 minutes in the most recent match against Newell’s Newells Old Boys showed an optimistic sign.

This was also confirmed by head coach Tata Martino, when he said that Messi has basically recovered and can play normally.

Messi played up to 60 minutes in Inter Miami’s friendly match against Newell’s Old Boys on February 16 (photo: getty)

“Our original plan was for Leo to play 45 to 60 minutes and he played almost 60 minutes and felt fine. The way he plays, accelerates, it seems like Messi has completely recovered. The ideal scenario is that he will be ready to start for the opening match of MLS.”

Besides Messi, another Inter Miami star, Luis Suarez, is also expected to soon regain his physical condition and scoring form. Sharing about the case of the Uruguayan veteran, Coach Martino said:

“Physically, Suarez looks good, but what hindered him before the season was not having enough time with the team. Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba may have known him before but the other players did not know how Suarez plays football.

Especially the players who will cooperate with him in attack, like Julian Gressel and Diego Gomez. They need more time to play together.”

Inter Miami’s opening match of MLS 2024 against Real Salt Lake will take place at 8:00 a.m. on February 22 at Lockhart Stadium.