Lionel Messi has been training with his Inter Miami teammates and appears closer to making his long-awaited return to action, according to manager Tata Martino.

"For several weeks now, he's been training with the ball, starting first with the medical team and physical trainers, and then gradually integrating into some parts of training with the group," the Inter Miami manager said at Friday's press conference.

Martino wouldn't disclose if Messi would be traveling with Inter to face the Chicago Fire SC on Aug. 31. Martino was also asked if Sept. 14 could be the return date for his star player and the manager opted for caution.

"These are matters that are also discussed a lot with him, and it depends on how he's feeling. It's an injury that's lasted over six weeks, so we need to stay calm and be absolutely sure."

He added, "He's had a pretty good week, participating with the group, but he still hasn't been medically cleared. We'll determine if he can travel or not."

Messi's return, regardless of the date, will immediately heightened the expectations on Martino's squad as the regular season winds down. His Herons side have the best record in MLS, and appear well-positioned to make a playoff run.

This season, Messi has 12 goals and 13 assists despite playing in just 12 of Miami's 26 matches due to the Copa America and injury. This season will be the first season Messi will play in the MLS Cup postseason. Messi picked up an injury towards the end of the 2023 campaign, and the Herons missed the playoffs after a miserable start to the season.

Martino admitted that Messi's presence - as well as the involvement of Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez - piles the pressure on in an interview with ESPN: "The fact that we have them in this team obviously creates a clear obligation for us to win. I have never seen teams in the MLS in the time I have been here that have any kind of pressure to win. I have rarely seen teams that are forced to win. I had never seen it, but I do with Inter Miami."

The Herons have been successful without Messi for over a month -- winning two of their last three MLS matches without the injured forward.

The Argentine picked up a high ankle sprain in the Copa America final, and has been recovering from the injury since then. It appears, though, that he is nearing a return. Messi was pictured on the training pitch earlier this week, while Martino admitted that he will be in the picture before the end of the regular season.

Messi's Miami teammate Chelo Weigandt acknowledged the Argentine raises the level of training when he's included.

"He's training, and honestly, having him around is incredible," Weigandt said. "You always want to have Messi on your team. It's something extraordinary, and honestly, he's doing great, but we need to stay calm. You would need to ask Tata [about his return], but the truth is that when he's there, everything gets better."

The Argentine appears to be nearing a return to the pitch, where he will look to keep Miami in pole position for an MLS Cup. The Herons play Chicago tomorrow night, before hosting Philadelphia on Sept. 14.