Lionel Messi has returned to Inter Miami's matchday squad for the first time in five matches, after being named as a substitute for Saturday's key MLS matchup at home versus FC Cincinnati.
The 36-year-old has missed five of Inter Miami's past six matches, plus another for Argentina in that time, after aggravating a scar tissue injury in a leg.
He has not taken the field since making a 37-minute appearance against Toronto FC on Sept. 20, when the leg issue forced him to be taken off before halftime. — Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Throughout the time, Miami has continued to describe Messi's availability as a game-time decision.
However, he trained in full with his Miami teammates on Thursday and Friday, suggesting he was in line for a return. Miami has struggled without the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, failing to win in three MLS games and losing the U.S.