"I want to look at it with a half-glass-full kind of mentality" - Inter Miami star on Lionel Messi's injury
Julian Gressel recently said Lionel Messi's injury is severe. The Inter Miami star revealed that the Argentine legend was wearing the protective boot and added that there is no return date for him yet.
Speaking on the Player/Manager podcast, Gressel said the management hadn't revealed the details of Messi's injury even to the rest of the players. However, the USA international is hoping for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to return in less than a month.
"It looked bad, and the way he's walking doesn't seem so great, but he's trying to protect it, that's why he's wearing the boot and trying to minimize the movement to heal those ligaments," Julian Gressel said. [6:28]
"Honestly, I don't have a return date, I don't have much insight, it's being kept well hidden, even from us as teammates on what's actually going on. I want to look at it with a half-glass-full kind of mentality, so I hope he's back soon and not in a month or two and it will be quicker than that," he added.
Lionel Messi got injured during their 1-0 win in the Copa America final against Colombia on July 14. Inter Miami have revealed that his ankle ligament is damaged, but have not given a timeline.
Inter Miami are better without Lionel Messi, claims pundit
Sacha Kljestan recently said Inter Miami have done better without Lionel Messi. He believes the MLS side have coped well when the Argentine icon was away with the national team for Copa America.
Kljestan said (via intermiami.news):
"No team enters the All-Star Game feeling better than Inter Miami, who lead the overall table with 53 points. The Herons have won six of their last seven, all without Lionel Messi. He was busy winning Copa America and then unfortunately injured his ankle in the final. But it hasn't mattered, as head coach Tata Martino has dealt with missing players all season and keeps this team ticking. Inter Miami will enter the final sprint as definite favorites to lift their first-ever Supporters' Shield."
Inter Miami are on the top of the Eastern Conference this season. They have collected 53 points from their 25 matches, leaving them on top of the overall table too.