lonel Messi to return from ankle injury before MLS Playoffs inter Miami coach says inter Miami head coach herard Tatam Martino says that lonel Messi will return from injury before the MLS Playoffs according to ESPN's Lizzie Bano the work is planned by the medical part with the physical trainers but yes he returns before the end of the regular season Martino said per betano the MLS regular season will end with decision day on Saturday October 19th Messi has not played since suffering an ankle ligament injury on July 14th while playing for Argentina in the Copa America final playoffs are then set to begin with knockout wildc card matches on Wednesday October 23rd followed by the best of three first round series on Saturday October 26 inter Miami could clinch a playoff birth this weekend in several different scenarios including a win on Saturday against FC Cincinnati Martino told reporters there is not yet a specific timetable for Messi's return and that it was foreseeable that Messi would not be in Argentina's squad for its upcoming World Cup qualifiers Messi was left out of the group that will face Chile and Colombia he is not training with the group but yes he is already out on the field and working with the physical trainers Martino said he is developing well there is no estimate because you are already starting to see how you feel as you add training on the field for now Martino confirmed that Messi will sit out Saturday Saturday's contest against FC Cincinnati per Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald the next date Messi could potentially return is a road game against the Chicago Fire on August 31st the fire has been anticipating the Miami Stars potential absence since July when the team offered fans discounts on future matches If Messi is unable to play Messi has played in 12 games for inter Miami this season recording 12 goals and 13 assists to set an MLs record as the fastest player in league history to 25 career goals although the Argentinian Soccer Star has missed 13 of inter Miami's 25 League games so far this season a strong defense has helped inter Miami achieve an MLs best 16- 5-4 record the return of Messi before the end of the regular season could make the club a title favorite heading into the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs