The wait of Inter Miami fans was relieved when Messi and Jordi Alba both took the training field at the last minute just one day before the US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo FC
Previously, on September 26, both Messi and Jordi Alba were absent from a training session with the entire Inter Miami team .
Messi in training session before the America’s Cup final
Inter Miami Club
All the concerns of Inter Miami fans and the whole United States are whether Messi will be able to recover his physical strength and discomfort from the old injury scar tissue in time to return to practice and compete in the America’s Cup final against Houston. Dynamo FC or not.
“We will wait until the last moment to see if Messi can play or not. This is a very difficult decision. We cannot take risks. However, this is a final, so we also must consider carefully and be willing to wait more time to make the final decision,” coach Tata Martino told the American press on September 26, in a quick interview after the first training session when Messi and Jordi Alba both absent.
However, in the following training session, Messi and Jordi Alba both came out to practice normally. This development caused confusion for the American press. Many questions continued to be asked of coach Tata Martino during the official press conference in the early morning of September 27 (Vietnam time).
Veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets trained fully before the America’s Cup final
Inter Miami Club
“When you left (American press), Messi and Jordi Alba were already on the practice field. That’s why you didn’t see them. However, as said, we still had to wait until the last minute to see if they can play or not. With Jordi Alba, the situation seems a bit difficult because he is not very healthy yet. But with Messi it is fine, he is not injured, does not need surgery, just I’m still feeling discomfort in my right leg,” coach Tata Martino shared.
According to journalist Gaston Edul of TyC Sports channel (Argentina): “Messi will definitely be part of Inter Miami’s participation in the America’s Cup final against Houston Dynamo FC. But his ability to play in the official squad is very low. He can sit on the bench and only enter the field at the most appropriate and necessary time.”