Shocking Messi injury update could decide Inter Miami’s MLS fate

Lionel Messi is a name that does not need any introduction. Even at the age of 37, this Argentine genius still pops his magic even off the pitch and mesmerizes millions around the world. It's precisely this absenteeism that has got fans and analysts on edge. After all, Messi's return to Inter Miami for the final stretch of the MLS season stays as one of the biggest questions hanging above American soccer as of now.

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The Injury Drama: A Chapter We Don't Want to Repeat

Lionel Messi is recovering from an ankle sprain picked up in the Copa América final against Colombia back in July. Since then, the Argentine star hasn't yet returned full throttle to team training but remains committed to individual sessions with Inter Miami physios. Coach Tata Martino is hopeful of seeing the 35-year-old back on the pitch before the end of this regular season, but the truth is that there is ample uncertainty attached to that expectation.

This is not the first time Messi has had physical issues this season. As a matter of fact, Messi has sat out 18 of the 33 Inter Miami matches this year due to various injuries and needed rest. Not having Messi on the pitch truly is a bitter blow for any team, yet somehow, Inter Miami still stays atop the Eastern Conference in MLS—which, quite frankly, is something.

No Messi, but Suarez, Busquets, and Alba—the trio that holds the fort

It's hard to think of players of Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba-level importance to Inter Miami. These veterans have been instrumental in keeping this team competitive—well, sans its biggest star on the pitch—playing off some of Messi's old pals at Barcelona. It was as if this trio's spirit was put into the team DNA so that without its most treasured piece, this machine would keep running by itself.

Still, Messi is missed. There is no denying that Inter Miami performs differently with him on the pitch. His vision, decision-making, and the special ability to change a game's direction are things that nobody else can replicate. But with him out recovering, others must continue to pick up the slack and keep the team on course.

On the Road to Glory: The MLS Final Stretch

In this decisive phase of the MLS, Messi's absence could have been a disaster for Inter Miami; against what most people might have expected, the team has stood firm, leading the Eastern Conference with an eight-point advantage over FC Cincinnati and six points over Los Angeles Galaxy. The dream of the Supporters' Shield—the prize given to the team with the best regular-season record—lives on.

Thus, the Paraguayan duo Diego Gomez and Matias Rojas have played important roles. On his way to Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion, Gomez and Rojas have been important in keeping Inter Miami's momentum toward the playoffs. This mix of youth and experience has shown that even without Messi, there is still much to offer from this team.

Anxiety Over His Return: Expectations vs Reality

Now, with Tata Martino reassuring everybody that Messi will return before the end of the season, it only adds to the anxiety. Messi is truly the soul and heart of that team. The moment has been stuck in time, as has the team and its fans, who are waiting for their idol to return and seal the season with a golden key, maybe making history in MLS.

On the other hand, this should come with caution. Jumping Messi back in before he's completely fit could be Inter Miami's fatal mistake—not just for him as a player, since he is no longer a young man and requires treatment with care that his career and body demand.

Messi and the Future: What to Expect?

Now, Lionel Messi might just be the icing on the cake in a season that has been, quite literally, up and down for Inter Miami thus far. Putting immediate on-field effects aside, this poses a situation of a host of questions involving Messi and his future in MLS. At 37, clearly, the Argentine star has much to give, but it goes without saying that his physical condition will have to be managed with extreme precautions.

Of course, Messi can still turn up those moments of magic that few players in the world can, but time waits for no man, and with every injury, he gets back more slowly and uncertainly. It will fall on Inter Miami to make sure that he strikes the fine line between playing to his full talent potential and being available for the really critical moments.