Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, centre, works out with teammates at the MLS soccer team's training facility on Sept. 13, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.Wilfredo Lee/The Associated Press
Lionel Messi has been cleared to play again after taking two months to recover from an ankle injury, and Inter Miami indicated that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will return to the lineup on Saturday when the team plays host to Philadelphia.
“Messi is available,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo (Tata) Martino said Friday before the team’s training session.
“Yes, he’s fine now,” Martino told reporters, in Spanish. “Yesterday he returned to training, he’s under consideration for [Saturday’s match]. We’ll define our strategy for him after today’s session, but he’s available.”
Martino did not reveal if Messi would start, enter the game as a substitute or if there’s a plan for a minutes restriction.
His return will be yet another lift to the club with the best record in Major League Soccer. Messi had missed nine consecutive MLS matches and 15 matches overall this season, yet the team still has the top mark in the league and has wrapped up a playoff berth.
Messi’s most recent appearance for Inter Miami was June 1, missing time first while playing for Argentina in the Copa America tournament and then because of the ankle issue.
Messi was injured while playing for Argentina in the Copa America final on July 14. He returned to group training with Inter Miami late last month, and because of a break for ongoing World Cup qualifying matches the team hasn’t played in two weeks – buying him some more time for recovery and conditioning.
Messi has 12 goals and 13 assists in 12 MLS games this season. Despite missing basically half of Inter Miami’s games, his 13 assists are third-most in MLS and he’s tied for 13th in goals.
Ronaldo’s billion
Ronaldo crossed one billion followers across his social media accounts, aided by his newly launched YouTube channel, which has attracted more than 60 million subscribers in just over three weeks.
Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal last week to help Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League, is the first human being to reach a billion followers on social media, global media reports said.
“We’ve made history, one billion followers! This is more than just a number, it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo posted on X.
“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey ... thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life.”
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player reached the milestone with more than 639 million followers on Instagram, 170 million on Facebook and 113 million on X.
The 39-year-old topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes this year, with off-field earnings of US$60-million, boosted by his large social-media following.