Lionel Messi is set to return to Inter Miami‘s starting lineup for its final preseason game against his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys on Thursday, Miami boss Gerardo “Tata” Martino has confirmed.
Messi has been battling a groin injury that led him to sit out Miami’s friendly in Hong Kong earlier this month, sparking a furor among fans and officials, including in neighboring China, which subsequently canceled two scheduled Argentina friendlies in the country next month.
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The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared as a substitute three days later against Vissel Kobe in Japan.
“I am happy to confirm that he [Messi] is going to start [tomorrow] because that is what we need to get him ready,” Martino said during a news conference on Wednesday.
“In our talks with Leo, we discussed how he feels for tomorrow. It is important that he gets minutes as we get closer to the start of the season.”
