"He came back and it was like he hadn’t been missing" - Pundit hails Lionel Messi's impact on Inter Miami following injury return
Former Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi's impact on Inter Miami following his injury return. The legendary forward was out of action for two months since July and returned to the pitch in September.
Messi injured his ankle in the 2024 Copa America final against Colombia and had to be subbed off in the second half. However, Argentina won their second consecutive Copa title after a 1-0 win courtesy of a Lautaro Martinez goal in extra-time. La Pulga remained out of action for two months, missing eight games for Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi returned to the pitch in the Herons' MLS clash against Philadelphia Union on September 14, scoring a brace and bagging an assist. He has since then led Inter Miami to win the 2024 Supporters' Shield. The Argentine superstar is now focused on the playoffs to win his first MLS Cup this season.
In an interview on the Inter Miami Weekly Show, Kieran Gibbs shared how he was stunned by Messi's return to the pitch and his consistent form. He said (via Inter Miami News):
“I saw pictures of his ankle and it was like a balloon, I was concerned for him and the team. But he came back and it was like he hadn’t been missing. It’s so difficult to come back after two months with an ankle injury and look and feel the same."
Gibbs added:
“Most of the time it takes players two or three games to get back into the rhythm, but I don’t even know how long he scored after his first game back, he just defies logic sometimes and he defies physics with the way he plays the game.”
Since his return, Lionel Messi has recorded 10 G/A (eight goals, two assists) in eight appearances for the Herons in the MLS and the play-offs. Messi and Co. will next face Atlanta United in the MLS play-offs round one on November 2.
"I think we are one of the favorites" - Lionel Messi rates Inter Miami's chances of winning the MLS Cup
In an interview with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Lionel Messi discussed his team's chances of winning the MLS Cup. The Herons began their campaign on October 25 with a 2-1 win over Atlanta United in the first round. They will face the side two more times in the first round in a best-of-three series format.
Lionel Messi considered the Herons one of the favorites to win the MLS Cup, saying:
''I think we are one of the favorites. I think we are a team that has grown and learned to compete and that will compete will anyone. But I think there are also teams who will be very difficult rivals, and who will not make it easy. But I think the other teams respect us like we respect them.’’
The Argentine legend is the world's most decorated footballer with a record 46 titles to his name. If Inter Miami wins the MLS Cup this season, it will mark their first time winning the cup in their brief history. Lionel Messi notably led the Herons to win their first silverware with the 2023 Leagues Cup last season.