The ‘dream’ date for Lionel Messi to return to Inter Miami lineup

Lionel Messi is still healing from a right ankle ligament injury that he suffered during the Copa America final in July, but he has reportedly started to eye a specific date for his return to the Inter Miami lineup. 

Messi missed all of Inter Miami’s run in this year’s Leagues Cup, and he isn’t expected to play this Saturday when the MLS regular season resumes for Miami with a match against FC Cincinnati. 

But Argentine outlet Olé has indicated that a “dream” return to Inter Miami could be against the Chicago Fire on Aug. 31, however, it also noted that it could be “risky” for Messi.

The foreign outlet noted that the Sept. 14 matchup against the Philadelphia Union could be more “realistic” of a return date. 

It would leave the possibility open for the G.O.A.T. to take the pitch at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 21 when Inter Miami travels to the Bronx to face New York City FC. 

It would be his second trip to the New York area with his MLS club after facing the Red Bulls in Harrison, N.J. last August. 

Messi has not played in any type of game since he suffered the injury on July 14 in the second half of Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia.

He then sat on the bench frustrated and overcome by the emotions of the injury. 

The 37-year-old was left off Argentina’s roster for upcoming World Cup qualifier matches in early September.

The Fire have already announced that the team would compensate fans with tickets to the Aug. 31 game if Messi doesn’t suit up. 

The Fire said they will provide fans the chance to claim two tickets to the 2024 Fan Appreciation match on Oct. 19. 

“As the Club looks forward to filling Soldier Field with fans to cheer on the hometown Chicago Fire, it does recognize that a player of Inter Miami star forward Lionel Messi’s caliber always helps to draw a larger crowd and attract new fans to the beautiful game,” the team said in a statement.