Messi and Germán Berterame available for Inter Miami opener vs LAFC

Lionel Messi trained fully with Inter Miami on Wednesday after a recent muscle issue sidelined him and forced the postponement of a preseason friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico. Earlier projections had suggested about two weeks of recovery, but his progress has come sooner than expected.

He worked at full intensity under head coach Javier Mascherano as Inter Miami prepare to face LAFC on Saturday in the MLS Opening Day match, and the expectation is that his workload will increase gradually so he can log minutes. New Designated Player Germán Berterame also joined group training after receiving his work visa, ending delays that had prevented him from integrating fully; his clearance makes him eligible to make his MLS debut this weekend and gives Mascherano an extra attacking option.

Both players took part in Mascherano’s South American preseason tour but had uncertain availability for the opener—Messi because of lingering muscle discomfort and Berterame while awaiting paperwork.

Puerto Rico

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