Lionel Messi set to return from injury for match against LA Galaxy

Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Lionel Messi is set to return from injury for the match against the LA Galaxy on Saturday night at Chase Stadium, becoming available for the team for the first time since August 2, Report informs via ESPN.

Messi suffered a "minor" muscle injury in his right leg during the Leagues Cup game against Necaxa on August 2, being forced off the field early in the first half. The team captain finally returned to training with the rest of the squad on August 13, prepping for a return.

"Leo is okay. In fact, he has already trained with the team since Wednesday," Mascherano said. "You saw him on Wednesday. And well, apart from the fact that we have training today, we believe that if nothing strange happens, he will be called up for tomorrow's match."

Despite missing a couple training sessions due to visa-related travel, Mascherano confirmed Rodrigo De Paul will be on the roster for Inter Miami against the Galaxy.

The Herons will face the Galaxy in a Major League Soccer regular-season game before hosting Liga MX giants Tigres UANL for the Leagues Cup quarterfinal match on August 20.

Mascherano will prepare with fewer players on the roster after the club recently announced midfielder Federico Redondo joined LaLiga team Elche and sources confirmed to ESPN that goalkeeper Drake Callender will soon be transferred to Charlotte FC.

Though the roster may appear to be thinned out, the head coach insists the team remains content while looking to sign a couple more players during this transfer window.

Mascherano later emphasized that the team is looking for defensive and offensive options.

Inter Miami signed De Paul during the summer transfer window, reinforcing the star-studded roster.