(PHOTO) Messi is still wearing the orthopedic boot due to his injury, how much longer he will have to wear it?

Lionel Messi has not played football this week and won't play for a while since he suffered a serious ankle injury in the Copa America final against Colombia last week. The Argentine star was crying on the bench during the final between Argentina and Colombia because of the pain and because he was not able to help his team in the final. The Argentina players made it up for him as they won the Copa America, but now he is with Inter Miami again.

Inter Miami played two games in the MLS this week, with Messi in attendance, but many fans noticed that he wore a protective boot for his ankle. He wore it while sitting in the VIP area for the Inter Miami match against Toronto FC at the Chase Stadium. He was then wearing it on the pitch two days before the match against Chicago Fire, where he was congratulated for the Copa America win this summer with Argentina.

The club medical report for Messi's ankle injury did not give a specific time frame of when he is expected to come back, but the walking boot may be needed for him to wear for two more weeks. Messi has a ligament injury on his right ankle, according to Inter Miami. Inter Miami announced on Tuesday last week that Messi has this injury.

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Before the match against Chicago Fire on Saturday, Messi was honored by Inter Miami for winning his 45th career trophy this summer by winning the Copa America trophy with the Argentina national team. Messi walked to the middle of the pitch towards the owner of the club, Jorge Mas. Fans noticed that the World Cup champion was wearing the protective boot.

Messi even wears it during vacation as he was pictured with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and Luis Suarez in a boat in Miami. Messi posed for a picture with his wife, and the image captured the Inter Miami star still wearing the walking boot. Once he doesn't need it, Messi's return will be closer, and he is expected to be back in less than two months.

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Inter Miami's next matches without Lionel Messi

Inter Miami did well without Messi during the Copa America and now did well this past week as they won two consecutive MLS matches. Inter Miami defeated Toronto FC 3-1 and defeated Chicago Fire 2-1 with specially good interventions from Drake Callender.

Now Inter Miami will play in the Leagues Cup this weekend as they are in East Group 3 with two Liga MX teams. This Saturday, Inter Miami will take on Club Puebla at the Chase Stadium. They will then take on Club Tigres UNAL on August 3rd at the NRG Stadium. Messi will be evaluated week by week Martino said.

After these games, we will see if Messi could be called up for the Argentina national team or not. After winning the Copa America title, the champions will face the South American World Cup qualifiers. They will first meet Chile national team at home, and later they will visit Colombia national team, in a revenge from the Copa America final. The games will be played in September.