Did Messi Suffer a Minor Muscle Injury in His Right Leg?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Messi suffers a minor muscle injury in his right leg.
- Inter Miami has not set a timeline for his return.
- Messi had to exit the match against Necaxa early.
- He has performed exceptionally well this season.
- Fans remain hopeful for his swift recovery.
Fort Lauderdale (USA), Aug 4 (NationPress) - Inter Miami CF has announced a recent update concerning their club captain, Lionel Messi, who is currently dealing with a minor muscle injury. The MLS club has yet to specify a timeline for the return of the 38-year-old superstar.
Messi had to leave the game early during Inter Miami's 5-4 victory in a penalty shootout against Necaxa on Saturday night, due to an injury sustained in the early moments of the Leagues Cup Phase One match at Chase Stadium.
A statement from Inter Miami indicated, "Messi underwent medical examinations to assess the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced during last night’s action against Necaxa, which led to his departure from the field."
The results revealed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. The timeline for his medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and the effectiveness of treatment.
During the match, the Argentine icon fell to the ground after being crowded by defenders while maneuvering through the Rayos defense. He expressed frustration by hitting the grass after falling. Moments later, he was seen receiving extensive treatment from the Inter Miami medical staff, focusing on what seemed to be his right hamstring or groin area.
Ultimately, Messi walked off the field and headed down the tunnel for further evaluation, leading coach Javier Mascherano to substitute Federico Redondo in the 11th minute.
Earlier this year, Messi contended with adductor and thigh strain issues, which caused him to miss Argentina's World Cup qualifiers in March. Despite this, he has scored 18 goals and provided nine assists in 18 league appearances this season, contributing assists to both goals in Inter Miami's thrilling 2-1 victory over Atlas in their Leagues Cup 2025 opener.
In 2024, he faced multiple challenges, including a torn leg muscle incurred during the Copa America final with Argentina in July, necessitating an extensive recovery period. Nevertheless, in his first full MLS season, Messi managed to play 19 games, scoring an impressive 20 goals and making 16 assists, which earned him the league’s 2024 MVP title.