Lionel Messi is “getting closer” to returning from injury with Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez willing to play through the pain barrier in the meantime.
Argentina captain Messi is still wearing a protective boot on his right ankle after spraining it during the Copa America final victory over Colombia on July 14.
He missed last week’s All-Star Game as a result and could sit out his club’s entire Leagues Cup campaign which started with a 2-0 win against Puebla on Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale.
Suarez scored against Puebla and, afterwards, provided an update on his close friend and former Barcelona team-mate Messi. He told the Miami Herald: “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.”
El pase de Gressel 😮💨 la asistencia de Jordi 🙌 y el gol de Lucho9️⃣ 🇺🇾✨ pic.twitter.com/ZOsDCFs7WP
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 28, 2024
Suarez also missed the All-Star Game due to inflammation in a knee, a continuation of a chronic problem that has plagued the latter years of his glittering career.
But he is happy to pick up the burden for Miami while Messi takes time to recover.
The 37-year-old added: “I always want to play, whether I have pain or I don’t have pain.
“Last year I suffered a lot at Gremio. This week I had some discomfort, but my body asked me to play because the club needed me and I wanted to be here. So, I gave maximum effort…I was happy to help the team.
“Some goals you enjoy a little less because your teammates make it so easy for you to score, but they are goals all the same and I am coming off a difficult week, so it felt good to score.”
Next up for Miami is a clash with Tigres on Saturday.
