Lionel Messi set to make injury comeback against LA Galaxy

16 Aug 2025 11:52

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Lionel Messi set to make injury comeback against LA Galaxy

Photo: Getty Images

Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed that Lionel Messi will be available for Saturday night’s match against the LA Galaxy at Chase Stadium.

This marks Messi’s first potential appearance since suffering a minor muscle injury in his right leg during the Leagues Cup match against Necaxa on August 2, which forced him off early in the first half, News.Az reports, citing ESPN.

The team captain rejoined full training on August 13 and is now set for a highly anticipated return to action.

"Leo is okay. In fact, he has already trained with the team since Wednesday," Mascherano said. "You saw him on Wednesday. And well, apart from the fact that we have training today, we believe that if nothing strange happens, he will be called up for tomorrow's match."

Despite missing a couple training sessions due to visa-related travel, Mascherano confirmed Rodrigo De Paul will be on the roster for Inter Miami against the Galaxy.

The Herons will face the Galaxy in a Major League Soccer regular-season game before hosting Liga MX giants Tigres UANL for the Leagues Cup quarterfinal match on Aug. 20.

Mascherano will prepare with fewer players on the roster after the club recently announced midfielder Federico Redondo joined LaLiga team Elche and sources confirmed to ESPN that goalkeeper Drake Callender will soon be transferred to Charlotte FC.

Though the roster may appear to be thinned out, the head coach insists the team remains content while looking to sign a couple more players during this transfer window.

"The transfer market is still open, with just over a week left, and we'll be looking at options until the last day of the transfer window. Yes, it could be that the squad looks smaller in terms of numbers, but I think we're pretty balanced right now," Mascherano said.

"Perhaps we're missing a few positions, where we could add a particular player, but I think by the end of the season, in the three-plus months we have left, we'll be fine. We've recovered players who unfortunately weren't available for a long time. With them, the team looks much more balanced. Well, as I said, in the end, we'll see if there's any chance of adding a specific case, a specific position, but in my case, I'm happy with what I have."

News.Az