Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi will be out of action for an unspecified period after sustaining what the club has described as a “minor muscle injury in his right leg.”
The 38-year-old Argentine icon suffered the injury early in Saturday’s Leagues Cup match against Mexican side Necaxa, which Miami eventually won on penalties. Messi exited the game in the 11th minute, walking off the pitch and into the locker room unaided.
In an official statement on Sunday, Inter Miami confirmed:
“Messi underwent medical tests to evaluate the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced. The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment.”
As a result, no specific timetable has been set for Messi’s return.
The injury comes at a crucial moment in the season. Messi, who shares the MLS lead with 18 goals and has contributed nine assists in 18 matches, has been a driving force behind Miami’s strong performance.
The club currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with 42 points from 12 wins, four losses, and six draws—eight points behind league leaders Philadelphia but with three games in hand.
Jordi Alba, who scored the dramatic equaliser in second-half stoppage time to force penalties in the Necaxa clash, called Messi’s early departure “a huge sadness for the whole team.”
Any prolonged absence for Messi could be a significant setback for Miami in the ongoing Leagues Cup, a tournament they won in 2023 shortly after his arrival. Inter Miami is set to host UNAM Pumas on Wednesday and currently ranks second in their group with five points. A win would secure them a place in the quarter-finals.
AFP
