Inter Miami suffers major setback as Lionel Messi sustains injury during Necaxa clash, return date unknown

Inter Miami’s hopes of maintaining momentum in the Leagues Cup took a major blow over the weekend, as superstar Lionel Messi sustained a muscle injury during the club’s high-stakes encounter with Necaxa. The Argentine icon was forced off the field just 11 minutes into the match, sparking concern among fans and management alike.

Messi collided with two Necaxa defenders near the top of the penalty box in the 7th minute. Although he initially attempted to play on, he was substituted in the 11th minute and went straight to the locker room. Federico Redondo took his place on the pitch as fans watched in stunned silence.

Club confirms minor muscle injury, timeline for return uncertain

In an official statement released on Sunday, Inter Miami provided an update on Lionel Messi’s condition following medical evaluation.

“Messi underwent medical tests to evaluate the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced during last night’s Leagues Cup match against Necaxa, which forced him to leave the field,” the statement read.

“The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment.”

The exact timeline for his return remains unclear, leaving the Herons without their talisman for an unspecified period.

Inter Miami pushes through without Lionel Messi

Despite the early setback, Inter Miami managed to salvage the match, securing a 2-2 draw in regulation and eventually clinching victory in the penalty shootout. The result earned them two points, bringing their tally to five through their first two Leagues Cup games.

However, the bigger concern is Lionel Messi’s fitness going forward. The 37-year-old has been a cornerstone for Miami this season, playing 1,565 minutes out of a possible 1,620 in the regular MLS campaign. He also played all four Club World Cup matches in June and featured heavily in the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier in the year, logging a staggering 2,581 total minutes for club and country since February.

Messi's grueling workload may be catching up

Concerns over Lionel Messi’s workload have surfaced before. He missed multiple matches earlier this season for what coach Javier Mascherano referred to as "load management." He also skipped the MLS All-Star Game and served a one-match suspension amid a congested fixture list.

Now, with a confirmed muscle injury, Miami’s medical staff will need to tread carefully to ensure their star recovers fully without risking further setbacks.