Inter Miami CF ahead Lionel Messi (10) reacts in opposition to Atlas FC in the course of the second half of a bunch stage Leagues Cup match at Chase Stadium. — Reuters/File
Lionel Messi exited Saturday evening’s Leagues Cup match in opposition to visiting Necaxa within the eleventh minute attributable to a proper leg harm. After Inter Miami accomplished its 2-2 draw, supervisor Javier Mascherano declared Messi felt “hamstring discomfort.”
The 38-year-old Messi’s exit brings a halt to an distinctive run of unpolluted well being, the longest since he joined Miami in July 2023.
He had performed in each minute of 16 consecutive matches for Miami between MLS common season and FIFA Membership World Cup play earlier than his failure to seem within the 2025 MLS All-Star Recreation resulted in a one-match suspension in opposition to FC Cincinnati every week in the past.
He returned Wednesday evening for Miami’s Leagues Cup opener in opposition to Atlas and supplied two assists — one resulting in the game-winner late — in a 2-1 victory.
Neither group scored previous to Messi’s exit Saturday, although Miami’s Telasco Segovia scored shortly thereafter to place Miami in entrance. Necaxa took a 2-1 lead with the Herons lowered to 10 males when Marcelo Weigandt was despatched off for denying an apparent goal-scoring alternative, however Inter Miami rallied for the equaliser in further time. The Herons then received 5-4 on penalty kicks.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has not scored within the Leagues Cup. However in MLS play, he’s tied for the league lead with 18 objectives.
Messi’s run of consecutive appearances was in stark distinction to his first two MLS seasons, throughout which he missed vital parts of regular-season play.
After enjoying all seven matches of Miami’s run to the 2023 Leagues Cup title, minor illnesses restricted Messi to only six appearances amongst Miami’s final 12 regular-season video games that yr.
He additionally handled a number of points in 2024, essentially the most pronounced being an prolonged restoration from a torn leg muscle sustained whereas enjoying for Argentina in the course of the 2024 Copa America remaining that July.
He performed in solely 19 video games in his first full MLS season, however he nonetheless scored 20 objectives and had 16 assists to earn the league’s 2024 MVP award.
