Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami practice on Wednesday, Oct. 22, one day after missing a session with back discomfort, the club announced in a social media post.
News of Messi’s injury had raised concerns about his availability before the MLS Cup Playoffs begin this week.
Inter Miami (the No. 3 seed) will face Nashville SC (No. 6) in the best-of-three first-round playoff series.
Inter Miami hosts Game 1 on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. ET. Game 2 will be in Nashville on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Game 3, if necessary, will be at Inter Miami on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Inter Miami will open practice to media on Thursday, Oct. 23, before Game 1. Coach Javier Mascherano is expected to speak before the training session to confirm Messi’s availability for their playoff opener.