Messi's ankle injury to be evaluated weekly, Inter Miami coach says.

Start writing...FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi wore a walking boot on his injured right ankle and watched Inter Miami regain first place in the MLS Eastern Conference with a 3-1 victory against Toronto FC on Wednesday night.

Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, sat alongside his wife and children during the match at Inter Miami's Chase Stadium. He was ruled out of the Toronto match and won't play in Inter Miami's next match against the Chicago Fire on Saturday as he continues to recover from the ankle injury he sustained during the Copa America final.

The injury occurred on Sunday when Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 to clinch the Copa America title at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Messi, who was named the tournament's best player, did not travel back to Argentina with his national team to celebrate the victory. Instead, he remained in Florida to begin his recovery process.

According to Inter Miami's medical report, Messi is suffering from a ligament injury in his right ankle. The club's head coach, Tata Martino, stated that Messi's recovery will be evaluated on a weekly basis, and the team will not take any unnecessary risks with his return to play.

"The club's medical report is out and the information is that regarding the times, it will surely be evaluated week by week," Martino said. "We are going to see just how his recovery is without taking any kind of risk."

The injury is a significant blow for Inter Miami, who have been buoyed by Messi's arrival and the team's recent surge in form. Prior to the Toronto match, Inter Miami had won four of their last five games and had moved into first place in the Eastern Conference standings.

With Messi sidelined, Inter Miami will have to rely on the rest of their talented roster to maintain their position atop the conference. The team has depth in midfield and attack, with players like Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Gonzalo Higuaín all contributing to the team's success.

The timing of Messi's injury is particularly unfortunate, as Inter Miami is set to face a number of key matches in the coming weeks. In addition to the Chicago Fire game on Saturday, the team will also take on rivals Orlando City SC and the New York Red Bulls in the coming weeks.

Despite the setback, Inter Miami remains confident in Messi's ability to bounce back from the injury and help the team achieve its goals this season. The club's medical staff will continue to monitor his progress and provide updates on his recovery timeline as he works towards a return to the pitch.

In the meantime, Messi will continue to support his team from the sidelines, offering his expertise and leadership to his teammates as they navigate the remainder of the MLS season. Inter Miami fans will no doubt be eager to see their superstar back in action as soon as possible, as the team looks to solidify its position atop the Eastern Conference standings.

The injury to Messi has also sparked a wider conversation about the physical toll that elite football can take on players, even those as accomplished as the Argentine legend. Messi's commitment to the national team and his desire to win trophies for his country has been well-documented, but the latest injury serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that top-level athletes must make in pursuit of glory.

As Messi continues his recovery, Inter Miami and its fans will be closely monitoring his progress, eager to see him back on the pitch and leading the team to new heights. The club's medical staff will undoubtedly be working diligently to ensure that Messi's recovery is carefully managed, with the ultimate goal of getting him back to full strength and helping Inter Miami achieve its ambitions this season.