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Lionel Messi, the legendary soccer star, is set to return to Inter Miami before the start of the MLS playoffs, according to head coach Tata Martino.

Messi, 37, has been sidelined since suffering a high-ankle injury while playing for Argentina in the Copa America final on July 14.

Martino revealed that Messi will play in at least one of the club’s nine remaining regular-season matches, although he didn’t specify an exact return date.

The regular season ends on October 19 with a match against the New England Revolution.

“I wouldn’t be able to give an approximate number of days that he returns to training, but it is not a situation that is too far away,” Martino said.

Lionel Messi, 37, is expected to play in one of Miami’s last nine regular season games this fall

Messi has been working on his rehabilitation and has been training on the field for three or four days now.

“There is a part of the injuries that have to do with the physical and there is a part of the injuries that has to do with the mental, so we have to overcome them both ways,” Martino said.

“He is feeling better and better. We cannot give time because we do not know and it would be speculating about something that may not be possible to do, but it is close.”

Inter Miami (16-4-5, 53 points) hold a five-point lead over FC Cincinnati in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, despite Messi not playing since June 1.

Miami’s coach Tata Martino is in no rush to bring his back Messi in the starting XI anytime soon

In 12 regular-season matches (11 starts), Messi has 12 goals and 13 assists.

Inter Miami will face FC Cincinnati at home on Saturday and can clinch a postseason berth.

Messi’s ‘dream’ return was initially set for August 31, but that appears to now be in doubt after Martino’s comments.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was tipped to return to the field in Inter Miami’s away game against the Chicago Fire.