Superstar Lionel Messi still has no return date according to the latest revelation from Inter Miami coach, Tata Martino.

Since winning the Copa America 2024 , Lionel Messi has not played again. The 37-year-old superstar suffered an ankle ligament injury in the final match, but both the Argentina national team and Inter Miami have kept information about this injury secret. Therefore, Messi ‘s return date is still a big question mark.

In a new interview, coach Tata Martino himself did not know when the team’s biggest star would recover. “Leo’s (Messi’s nickname) injury is still progressing as expected, but I cannot say exactly when he will return. Messi is still having to train separately.

Of course, Messi’s absence affects the team. We have many difficulties but it is also an opportunity for other players to show their ability. That is what we are aiming for, a quality squad, not just relying on one player. I hope he can return soon. For now, we need to fight with all our might during Messi’s absence.”

Inter Miami will have to visit Columbus Crew in the 1/8 round of the Leagues Cup. The team of president David Beckham is the current champion. Last season, Messi shone brightly to help Inter Miami win the first cup in history.

However, the possibility of the Argentine superstar playing in the 2024 Leagues Cup is being questioned. The final of the tournament will take place on August 25, which is less than 2 weeks away. Whether Inter Miami will make it to the final and whether Messi will recover in time is still a difficult question to answer.

Messi just posted a photo of him going to the beach with his family

The American press has begun to criticize the 37-year-old superstar for missing half of Inter Miami’s matches (13/25 matches). If counting only in 2024, the number of matches Inter Miami will have to play without Messi is 17/29 matches. 

Yahoo Sports has argued that other older American stars who have just participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics, such as Lebron James in basketball, Simone Biles (gymnastics) or Katie Ledecky (swimming), are the real “leaders” and not “superstars who are often absent due to injury or playing for the national team like Messi”. 

Messi did not respond to the criticism. Instead, the former Barcelona star shared a recent photo of himself at the beach with his family.