Argentine Javi Morales, assistant coach Gerardo Martino at Inter Miami, He assured that Leo Messi is “physically very well” and his ankle “is responding well” after the injury that kept him out of action from July 14 to September 14.
He spoke at a press conference prior to Inter Miami’s match against New York City, the leader of the Eastern Conference, after a 2-2 draw in Atlanta on Wednesday.
“Leo played 30 minutes the other day. He did well, without any discomfort, he is fit to play. “It depends on what ‘Tata’ decides. But physically he is very well,” said Morales.
“He played well, he did well the other day. We are not going to talk about how important he is for us. (In Atlanta he started on the bench) after being almost two months without playing. We were playing on synthetic turf… The most important thing is that the ankle is responding well,” he added.
Messi, who has 14 goals and 15 assists In fourteen MLS games, he could start from the first minute in New York.
“He is a player who always wants to be there and we will use him whenever we can. Not only does he improve us a lot, but we enjoy having him on the field,” Morales said.
The Argentine assistant replaced Martino on the bench in the Atlanta match, as ‘Tata’ was suspended.
Inter Miami arrives in New York after a draw
Inter Miami, which kept all of its starting players in reserve in Atlanta, drew 2-2 with Atlanta United before the duel with NYFC.
Messi, Suarez and Jordi Alba came on in the second half, while Sergio Busquets did not even come on as he was suspended for an accumulation of cards.
Inter Miami took the lead twice, with goals from the Honduran David Ruiz and the Ecuadorian Leonardo Campanabut ended up calling time against an Atlanta United that tied 2-2 with goals from Saba Lobjanidze and Alexey Miranchuk.
Inter Miami remains at the top of the Eastern Conference with 63 points and is the favorite to win the MLS Supporters’ Shield, the trophy for the league’s best team in the regular season.
Continue reading:
– Even with Messi, Inter Miami couldn’t beat Atlanta United
– Messi’s jersey is the best-selling in the MLS
– Lionel Messi named MLS Player of the Week after his return
