By Braden Chalker
Inter Miami have confirmed that Lionel Messi is part of their matchday squad for their Saturday night clash against Colorado Rapids.
Miami's No. 10 is officially back and ready to fire Miami into victory this weekend after the club announced in a cryptic social media post on X that Messi is available.
The former Barcelona and PSG figure has missed Miami's last three games with a hamstring injury, in which they've failed to pick up wins against New York Red Bulls (a 4-0 defeat) and NYCFC (a 1-1 draw) in MLS play, while falling to Monterrey 2-1 in Concacaf Champions Cup action.
Messi was also also absent in the Herons' 3-2 defeat to CF Montreal on March 16. The 36-year-old returned after missing one game to help Miami progress to the next round of the Champions Cup by bagging a goal in the Herons' 3-1 triumph, but he was forced off due to injury at the 50th minute mark.
Miami managed just one win without their superstar in the four games played, a 3-1 victory over DC United at Audi Field where Luis Suarez managed a second-half brace.
Miami have been crying out for a creative player in Messi's absence and Gerardo 'Tata' Martino will be elated to get the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner back in the side. Martino has been dealt injuries left and right in recent weeks in the attacking department, with Facundo Farias missing the entire season with an ACL injury while Robert Taylor will miss the upcoming game with a muscle problem.
Benjamin Cremaschi, who typically plays as a midfielder but can take on a more advanced role, has been included in the matchday squad for the first time this season after recovering from sports hernia surgery.
Of course, this doesn't mean that Messi will necessarily be thrown right into the starting lineup against Colorado, but he'll at minimum come off the bench to make an impact. However, he could still be included in the starting lineup and only play about 60 minutes to get eased back into the swing of things.
Messi will look to add to his five goals and two assists in all competitions when Colorado Rapids visit Chase Stadium.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Inter Miami confirm Lionel Messi decision for Colorado Rapids clash.
