Lionel Messi has been set a target for his Inter Miami return as the injured No. 10 continues to work his way back from an ankle problem.
The Argentina star suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle during the Copa America final on July 14 and hasn't played since. And partly due to his national team commitments, he hasn't played for his club since June 1.
Now, Argentine outlet Olé has tipped Messi for a 'dream' Inter Miami return against the Chicago Fire on August 31.
The outlet notes that it could be 'risky' for Messi - who has yet to return to training - to see the field in just 12 days.
If he doesn't play against the Fire, he'd have another couple of weeks to rest up before potentially facing the Union on September 14, which Olé considers to be more realistic.
However, he's been enjoying his time off the pitch as he and his family went on vacation
Additionally, the AP reported last month that the Fire said they will offer vouchers for fans if Messi doesn't play in the game.
The Fire said in a statement on July that they expected Messi to play. If he can’t, the team said it would offer single match buyers who purchased between now and game day $250 off two or more new 2025 Chicago Fire season ticket memberships or $100 off two or more single match tickets for the 2025 home match against Inter Miami.
If fans already had purchased tickets, the Fire said they would offer the chance to claim two complimentary tickets to the Fire’s Fan Appreciation Night on Oct. 19 against Nashville.
A return vs. the Union on September 14 would be exactly two months out from Messi's injury in the Copa America final against Colombia, which Argentina were ultimately able to win 1-0 without him.
The family enjoyed a boat day as Messi and Antonela jointly shared some snaps of the outing to Instagram.
The Argentina star, on account of his ongoing injury, was not selected for the national team's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
He's also started just 11 of Miami's 25 games this year, though the Herons are still in first place in the Eastern Conference.