Messi 'ready' to return against LA Galaxy

The Inter Miami captain, who has missed two consecutive matches due to injury, could make his return with this match.

Lionel Messi is set to return to action after recovering from injury. Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said the record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is ready to return against LA Galaxy.

Messi left the field with an injury in the 11th minute of the Leagues Cup match against Necaxa on August 2. The right leg muscle injury kept Argentina's World Cup-winning captain out of the team's next two matches.

 Without him, Mexican team Pumas beat UNAM 3-1 to reach the last eight of the Leagues Cup, but Miami was crushed 4-1 by Orlando City in Major League Soccer (MLS).

The 38-year-old Messi returned to training with the team on Wednesday. Miami will face LA Galaxy at home on Sunday morning Bangladesh time in MLS. Coach Mascherano said in a press conference on Friday that his former teammate will be in the team for this match.

 “Leo is fine. He has been with the team since Wednesday. We believe that if nothing unusual happens, he will be called up for tomorrow’s match.”

 Messi was in great form before his injury. He is still the joint top scorer of the season in MLS with 18 goals in 17 matches. The former Barcelona forward also made 10 assists.

Miami is sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference points table with 42 points from 23 matches. Philadelphia is at the top with 51 points from 26 matches.