Lionel Messi has resumed first-team training with Inter Miami after an emotional farewell to the Argentina national team in Buenos Aires. The forward is now focused on guiding the Florida club through the concluding weeks of the Major League Soccer regular season as they aim for a postseason playoff berth.
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The 39-year-old Messi returned to Florida to regain his fitness following Argentina's 3-0 victory over Benin, where he scored a penalty and assisted on two goals. Under head coach Kily Gonzalez, Messi's primary objective is to finish the regular season strong and secure a place in the playoffs.
This season, Messi leads the league with 21 goals and 13 assists, showcasing his continued scoring ability. He also has 150 shots on target, significantly outpacing the next closest competitor, Milan Iloski, who has 105 attempts.
Currently, Inter Miami is positioned third in the Eastern Conference with 46 points from 27 matches. They are level on points with New England and aiming to close the gap with Nashville, which holds a 14-point lead. Securing a top-seven finish in the remaining seven matches would grant Miami direct entry into the Best-of-3 playoff series, avoiding the risk of a wild-card match.
Inter Miami is set to host D.C. United at Nu Stadium on Saturday in a crucial Eastern Conference clash. There are concerns regarding Messi's condition following his travel back from international duty, but the team is eager to secure three points to bolster their playoff chances.