He is ready for 90 Minutes - Messi declared fit for Inter Miami's playoff

Messi declared fit for Inter Miami's playoff opener against Nashville Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed that star forward Lionel Messi is ready for the team's MLS Cup Playoffs opener against Nashville SC on Friday, putting to rest any concerns about his fitness. Messi had missed a training session earlier in the week due to back discomfort, but Mascherano assured reporters that the absence was purely a precautionary measure. The Argentine superstar returned to full training on Wednesday and Thursday, clearing him for action at Chase Stadium. What Mascherano said "He trained on Monday but was feeling some tightness in his back, so on Tuesday we preferred that he rest rather than add more workload and risk making it worse," Mascherano explained. He added, "Yesterday, he trained normally and completed the full session with us. With that rest, we managed to prevent the pain from increasing, nothing more. He's ready to play 90 minutes and more." Mascherano's confirmation means Inter Miami will have their key player available for the best-of-three series. Following Friday's match, the second game is scheduled for November 1, ensuring adequate recovery time for both teams. The Herons have also been boosted by the return of young talent Mateo Silvetti. The midfielder is back with the squad after helping Argentina secure a second-place finish at the U-20 World Cup. This playoff campaign will also be the last for veteran duo Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who have announced they will retire at the end of the season. Last year, Inter Miami was eliminated in the 2024 postseason by a lower-seeded Atlanta United, a result they will be keen to avenge this time around. The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs kick off for Inter Miami with Game 1 at home against Nashville SC this Friday.