Ahead of his pivotal MLS matchup with Chicago Fire, Lionel Messi, the captain of Inter Miami, is getting closer to making his injured comeback as he exercises by himself.

 

After being spotted doing solo workouts at Inter Miami’s training facility on Tuesday, Lionel Messi is getting closer to making his injury comeback.

Since suffering a muscular injury during Miami’s 4-0 victory over Toronto last month, which resulted in his substitution after 37 minutes of play, Messi has not appeared for the Dolphins.

As a result, Tata Martino has missed their last three games alongside their captain, and the team has suffered as a result.

 

In addition to losing four crucial points in MLS games against Orlando and New York, Miami also lost the US Open Cup final against Houston last week at their own DRV PNK Stadium.

As their attempt to qualify for the MLS playoffs this season draws to a close—with ninth-place Montreal now four points out after playing an additional game—fans are aching for Messi’s comeback.

Furthermore, as he gets closer to a comeback, Miami may benefit from the fact that Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain was spotted working out by himself on Tuesday at their Florida Blue Training Center facility.

On the eve of their trip to Chicago Fire, Messi finished some individual drills with and without the ball to expedite his recuperation from a muscle injury, even though he was still unable to participate in the group session.

The 36-year-old will not play in Wednesday’s game against Chicago at Soldier Field, according to Argentine writer Gaston Edul.

Miami hopes he’ll be back in time for their final game before the impending international break on Saturday at DRV PNK against FC Cincinnati.

For Martino’s team to have any chance of making the playoffs, they must win in Chicago.

Despite having played one fewer game, they are already four points behind their opponents on Wednesday in the league standings.

Miami’s final two games of the season will be at home and away against Charlotte, following their matchup with Cincinnati this weekend.

Given Messi’s seismic impact since moving to the States this summer, his participation in those games could be essential to the team’s playoff chances.

The Barcelona icon scored 11 goals in his first 12 games with the team to help them win the League Cup and revive their playoff ambitions.