Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said Lionel Messi has been medically cleared and is set to rejoin the match-day squad for Saturday’s Major League Soccer home game against defending champion LA Galaxy. The 38-year-old forward resumed full training on Wednesday after a right-leg hamstring strain suffered on Aug. 2 in a Leagues Cup win over Necaxa kept him out of Miami’s last two fixtures. During Messi’s absence, Miami beat Pumas 3–1 in the Leagues Cup but fell 4–1 to state rival Orlando City in league play. The club sits sixth in the Eastern Conference, with three games in hand, while Messi is tied for the MLS scoring lead at 18 goals despite appearing in only 18 of 23 matches. Mascherano said the coaching staff will balance Messi’s minutes with a congested schedule that includes a Leagues Cup quarter-final against Mexican side Tigres on Aug. 20. The manager called Saturday’s fixture “very important” after last weekend’s heavy defeat, adding that Messi will travel and, barring any late setback, be available for selection.