Injury Strikes Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, the Argentine footballer, suffered an injury on Sunday that forced him to leave the Lagues Cup game of Inter Miami against Necaxa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The injury occurred in the 11th minute when the eight-time balloon d’Or winner came across the Necaxa defender Alexis Pena and fell to the ground. Moments later, when Messi was alone in midfield, he sat on the floor and waited until the coach arrived.

The Incident

The 38-year-old footballer plays for both Argentina and Inter Miami at the Leagues Cup level. When the star striker was helped off the field under his own power, concerns about the severity of the injury began to rise.

What do we know about the injury?

After Miami had won a 5-4 win against Necaxa after a 2-2 draw, Manager Javier Mascherano said Messi had experienced "damage complaints". Mascherano stated, "Well, he felt uncomfortable and we will only know tomorrow how severe the injury is." He added, "There is probably something. Maybe not so important because he really had no pain. But he felt a strain."

Messi’s History with Injuries

The 38-year-old Messi came to Inter Miami in 2023 and is the captain of the club. He is the common top goal scorer in the Major League Soccer, the Top-US-Liga, with 18 goals and had two templates in Miami’s first league cup game against Atlas Guadalajara. The former superstar of Barcelona dealt with various fitness problems during his time in Inter Miami, whose group of owners is under the direction of David Beckham. In 2023, Messi performed in only half of the 12 MLS games by Inter Miami due to minor symptoms and injuries. In 2024, he dealt with a torn leg muscle that he played in the 2024 Copa America for Argentina.