Lionel Messi Suffers Muscle Strain, To Remain Sidelined for Now
Inter Miami skipper Lionel Messi underwent scans after he felt discomfort in his muscles.
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi will remain out of action for an unspecified period due to what the MLS club described as a “minor muscle strain in his right leg,” according to a statement issued on Sunday. The 38-year-old Argentine football icon picked up an upper right leg strain early in Miami’s penalty shootout victory over Mexico’s Necaxa on Saturday in a Leagues Cup clash.
Messi exited the field in the 11th minute, walking off and heading straight to the dressing room.
Inter Miami mentioned that Messi “underwent medical examinations to assess the severity of the muscle discomfort he encountered,” which resulted in his early substitution.
“The scans confirmed a minor muscle strain in his right leg. His fitness to return will be based on how well he responds to treatment and recovery.”
This indicates there is no fixed timeline for the return of the Miami superstar, who currently leads the MLS season with 18 goals and has also contributed nine assists in 18 games.
Jordi Alba, who netted a late equaliser for Miami in stoppage time to take the match to penalties, said Messi’s premature exit was “a major disappointment for the entire squad.”
Inter Miami have 12 wins, 4 losses and 6 draws, collecting 42 points, and are positioned fifth in the Eastern Conference — eight points behind table-toppers Philadelphia, but with three matches in hand.
A long absence for Messi would be a considerable blow for Miami in the Leagues Cup, a title they clinched in 2023 shortly after the Argentine star joined the club.
Miami, who will host UNAM Pumas on Wednesday, are currently second on the MLS group standings for Leagues Cup qualification with five points. A win would confirm their place in the quarter-finals.
