Did Lionel Messi Suffer a Hamstring Injury During Inter Miami's Win Over Necaxa?
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Synopsis
Lionel Messi's recent hamstring injury during Inter Miami's thrilling Leagues Cup victory raises concerns over his fitness and future performance. Read on to discover the details behind this incident and what it means for the star player and his team.
Key Takeaways
- Messi's hamstring injury occurred during the Leagues Cup match.
- He exited the game in the 11th minute.
- Coach Javier Mascherano expressed concerns over the injury.
- Messi has a history of hamstring issues.
- His performance is crucial for Inter Miami's success.
Fort Lauderdale (USA), Aug 3 (NationPress) - Lionel Messi has reportedly sustained a hamstring injury during Inter Miami's recent victory over Club Necaxa in the Leagues Cup penalty shootout, leaving the match in the 11th minute and heading directly to the locker room at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The injury occurred while Messi was maneuvering into the box and collided with Necaxa’s Raúl Sánchez and Alexis Peña. After stumbling to the ground, he showed visible frustration by striking the pitch. Although he briefly attempted to continue playing, he ultimately required medical assistance and had to exit the field. Federico Redondo took his place on the field.
“Leo felt a slight discomfort in his hamstring,” stated Inter Miami's head coach Javier Mascherano following the match.
“The full extent of the injury won't be known until tomorrow. There's a possibility it’s not severe since he didn’t show signs of pain, but he did experience discomfort.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Messi has faced recurring hamstring issues and has missed several games in recent seasons due to various leg-related injuries. Earlier this year, he missed two of Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers due to a left adductor strain.
Before Saturday's match, Messi had participated in 30 games for Inter Miami in 2025 across all tournaments, including the Concacaf Champions Cup, Club World Cup, Leagues Cup, and the Major League Soccer regular season.
As an eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient, Messi is yet to score in this year's Leagues Cup. However, he shares the lead in MLS with a remarkable 18 goals.
This recent stint of consistent play marks a significant contrast to his first two seasons in MLS, during which injuries severely curtailed his participation. Following a flawless performance in Inter Miami’s victorious 2023 Leagues Cup campaign, Messi was hindered by minor injuries that limited him to just six of the final 12 regular-season matches that year.
In 2024, he faced multiple challenges, particularly a torn leg muscle sustained during the Copa America final with Argentina in July, necessitating an extensive recovery period. Despite being restricted to 19 games in his first complete MLS season, Messi impressively recorded 20 goals and 16 assists, earning him the title of the league’s MVP for 2024.
Point of View
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges athletes face with injuries, especially someone of Messi's caliber. As his fitness remains a key concern for Inter Miami and their fans, the implications for his performance in upcoming matches cannot be underestimated. We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.
NationPress
08/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of injury did Lionel Messi sustain?
Lionel Messi sustained a hamstring injury during the match against Club Necaxa.
How long will Messi be sidelined?
The duration of Messi's recovery is currently unknown, pending further medical evaluation.
What does this injury mean for Inter Miami's season?
Messi's injury could affect Inter Miami's performance as he is a pivotal player, and his absence may impact the team's success.
What has Messi's injury history been like?
Messi has experienced recurring hamstring issues and has missed several matches due to leg injuries in recent seasons.
How many goals has Messi scored in MLS this season?
As of now, Messi shares the league lead with 18 goals in MLS competition.
