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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine injured at Copa America</li><li>No timescale put on recovery</li><li>Has sat out MLS &amp; Leagues Cup games</li></ul>

Luis Suarez delivers ‘getting closer’ injury update on Lionel Messi as Inter Miami wait on talismanic captain to recover from ankle damage

<p>After starring for the Herons through the opening weeks of the 2024 MLS campaign, Messi headed off on international duty in mid-June. He helped to inspire Argentina to Copa America glory, but was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-ankle-swells-size-golf-ball-argentina-inter-miami-superstar-tears-injury-copa-america-final-colombia/bltfebca9f5b14d26cd" target="_blank">forced out of the final at that tournament in tears</a>.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi did get his hands on the trophy – the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/one-more-record-breaking-lionel-messi-celebrates-trophy-win-no-45-wife-antonela-three-sons-join-argentina-copa-america-celebrations/blt200b8b09f6457b50" target="_blank">45th of his record-shattering career</a> – but rolled his right ankle to the point that a protective boot has been required since rejoining the ranks at Inter Miami. The 37-year-old has been restricted to a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/seven-wins-in-eight-without-lionel-messi-herons-leagues-cup-show-injured-captain-wife-antonela-roccuzzo-trophy-defence-puebla/blt2a9e1746699207c9" target="_blank">spectator role for MLS and Leagues Cup action</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>No timescale has been put on <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-return-date-hidden-inter-miami-team-mates-bad-ankle-injury-usmnt-star-julian-gressel-admission/bltf107afe0248cdfed" target="_blank">his recovery, with many team-mates being left in the dark</a>, but Suarez told reporters when asked how his fellow former Barcelona star is doing: “Everyone knows how committed Leo is to this club, with his national team and his desire to be on the field. But as the days go by he is getting closer to his return to the field, which is where we all want to see him.” </p>

WHAT SUAREZ SAID

<p>Messi has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/another-record-unstoppable-lionel-messi-inter-miami-superstar-mls-history-25th-goal-contribution/blt1d9869cb05253b25" target="_blank">rewriting the history books</a> again in 2024, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-mls-mvp-only-clown-disagree-ex-usmnt-star-taylor-twellman-inter-miami-superstar-rewriting-history/blt39d8b7dfad9797ba" target="_blank">MVP talk being generated</a> in the States, and it may be that he sits out the defence of a Leagues Cup crown in order to be fully recovered for the business end of an MLS Cup quest.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Luis Suarez delivers ‘getting closer’ injury update on Lionel Messi as Inter Miami wait on talismanic captain to recover from ankle damage | Goal.com

Luis Suarez has delivered an encouraging “getting closer” injury update on Lionel Messi, with the Inter Miami superstar nursing an ankle problem.