According to veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets, Messi is still not at 100% form, but is still trying to play because he wants to help Inter Miami achieve their goal of winning the Supporters’ Shield. This famous player is still present in the away match against Columbus Crew.

“Messi still has a little bit more to do to reach 100% form and fitness. He really wants to achieve that and has made a big impact. His effort to return to play has helped us a lot,” Busquets said in an interview ahead of Inter Miami’s away match against Columbus Crew at 6:30 a.m. on October 3.

“It’s true that with Messi and Suarez back, our tactical system has changed and they have to adapt to the team. But I think we did that very well at the beginning of the season before Messi was injured.

For us, Messi’s presence is an advantage and the adaptation will come naturally over time. We know the superiority he brings to the team, and what he is capable of. We have to do better in finding him in the closer area to score goals,” Busquets explained.

Busquets had to explain this because of the curiosity of the American press, because Inter Miami had a long period of playing without Messi or Suarez, but the team kept winning. A total of 9 matches and only 1 loss in the MLS from mid-June to the end of August, when Messi and Suarez played in the Copa America, after which they were on vacation and had a long injury.

Since the duo’s return, Inter Miami have won just one and drawn three of their last four games. However, their winning streak has given them a great chance of winning the Supporters’ Shield (for the team with the best record in the MLS points round).

To achieve this goal before the remaining two matches, Inter Miami needs to defeat Columbus Crew right at Lower.com Field at 6:30 a.m. on October 3. Both Messi and Suarez, along with Busquets and Jordi Alba, are present for this very important away match. Inter Miami is only missing defender David Martinez, while midfielder Facundo Farias has returned to training.

Previously, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino wanted to ensure that Messi would only return to competition step by step and achieve his best performance and form in the MLS Cup playoffs (playing from the end of October). However, with the goal of winning the Supporters’ Shield, the 37-year-old player has made an effort to return to competition.

So far, in 4 matches back on the field, Messi has played 3 full 90 minutes and 1 match from the bench in the 61st minute. He has scored 3 goals and had 1 assist in these matches, for a total of 17 goals (15 in MLS) and 12 assists after 19 matches for Inter Miami since the start of the 2024 season.