Inter Miami coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has said Lionel Messi has “fully recovered” from injury ahead of his team’s MLS opener against Salt Lake City on Feb. 21.
Messi, 36, struggled with a groin problem during Inter Miami’s international tour but started in their final preseason game against his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
“I see him fully recovered,” Martino said of Messi after the game.
“It is true that we are playing him little by little. Tonight he played almost 60 minutes and the idea is that he arrives well prepared for the [league] debut on the 21st.”
Messi missed a Feb. 4 preseason win in Hong Kong because of nagging injuries.
