Lionel Messi: When will Inter Miami star reportedly join Argentina training camp for Copa America?
Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi is expected to join the Argentina men's national team training camp on June 3 ahead of the 2024 Copa America, according to journalist German Carrara.
Messi, who joined Inter Miami on a free transfer last July, has been in red-hot form for his Major Legue Soccer (MLS) club this season. He has found the back of the net a whopping 12 times and laid out 11 assists in just 13 matches across competitions for his team.
After missing the Herons' 2-1 win at Vancouver Whitecaps due to a minor knock earlier this Saturday, he is likely to return to action this week. He will be in action against Atlanta United this Wednesday (May 29) before playing against St. Louis City three days later.
After the two aforementioned Inter Miami matches, Messi will then join his national team in Miami on Monday. He will prepare with his Argentina teammates before featuring in two international friendly matches.
Argentina, who are in the Group A of the 2024 Copa America, will first take on Ecuador at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago on June 9. They will face Guatemala at Commanders Field in Washington on June 14.
Lionel Scaloni's team will kickstart their continental competition with a Group A clash against Canada on June 20. They will later face Chile on June 25 and Peru on June 29 to wrap up their group-stage.
Inter Miami star hails Lionel Messi's vigor
At a recent press conference, Inter Miami right-back Marcelo Weigandt opened up on the experience of playing alongside Lionel Messi. He elaborated (h/t Inter Miami News):
"When we come out, we have another energy. To play alongside Messi is incredible, he's the one out there who's giving us that energy. I give 100% but he's giving 110%, it's amazing."
Weigandt, who is on loan at Inter Miami from Boca Juniors, continued:
"We have to be attentive, though, because each game is like a final for us because the rivals want to beat us more than anything, they have that extra edge to their game. But we are proud and we are happy to have Leo as much as [Luis] Suarez, [Sergio] Busquets, and Jordi [Alba]. These guys are incredible and day after day, they show their humility and their respect towards everyone."
Since arriving last year, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 23 goals and provided 16 assists in 27 matches for Inter Miami. He has also helped them lift the Leagues Cup – the club's first-ever trophy.
Weigandt, on the other hand, is currently settling in well as a replacement for DeAndre Yedlin at the Herons. He has started 11 of his 12 games across all competitions for them, picking up four yellow cards.