Inter Miami icon Lionel Messi has addressed the club's fans after his injury changed their pre-season plans. The Herons have postponed their friendly match against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico after the 38-year-old picked up an injury in their previous friendly.
Lionel Messi suffers injury
Messi and his teammates were set to face Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico on February 13th to round off their preparations for the 2026 MLS season. The match has been postponed by two weeks because of a hamstring injury to the Argentine great, prompting him to directly address the fans on Instagram.
“Hi everyone, I want to send my greetings to the people of Puerto Rico - those who were going to attend the training session and the match. In the last game in Ecuador, I finished with some discomfort and had to come off early. Because of that, together with the organizers and the club, we decided to suspend this match. I hope it can be rescheduled, so that we can see each other soon and visit you. I truly appreciate your support and affection. I know tickets had already been sold and everything was organized, so hopefully we can make it happen soon. A big hug to everyone", he said (via GOAL).
No certain timeline for Lionel Messi's return
Inter Miami have not put a timeline on Lionel Messi's comeback from what was described as a hamstring strain, saying that he will be monitored on a regular basis. They have decided to shift the friendly until February 26th, five days following their MLS opener against Los Angeles FC (LAFC).
Lionel Messi was forced to leave the pitch in the 57th minute against Barcelona SC after scoring a goal and an assist in the first half of the 2-2 draw. He may miss out on the game against LAFC as Javier Mascherano's team will continue their preparations for the game on the training field, rather than in a match environment.
Big boost for Lionel Messi's Inter Miami
Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami have received a boost as forward Tadeo Allende has started training ahead of their season opener. The Argentinean did not play in any of their three pre-season friendly games, having signed permanently during the off-season.
Allende had an effective loan spell in the 2025 MLS season, playing a crucial role as they became MLS Cup winners. The 25-year-old scored nine goals in the playoffs, creating a new record as the Herons won the titles for the first time in their history.
Inter Miami agrees on a permanent transfer with Celta Vigo, defeating River Plate to sign the versatile forward. He has now restarted individual training following missing their tour of South America, and will join the squad in the coming days.