Lionel Messi has sustained a minor muscle strain in his right leg, Inter Miami confirmed on Sunday, following an early exit from Saturday’s Leagues Cup clash against Necaxa.
The injury occurred within the first few minutes of the match when Messi went down after a challenge from two Necaxa defenders. Although Inter Miami eventually secured a win via penalty shootout, the Argentine star was sent for tests after complaining of discomfort in his right leg.
While the club described the injury as minor, it has not set a definite timeframe for Messi’s return. His availability for Wednesday’s upcoming Leagues Cup game against UNAM Pumas appears doubtful.
In a statement, Inter Miami noted that Messi's return will depend on how he responds to ongoing treatment.
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Visibly frustrated after the fall, Messi hit the ground with his hand before slowly making his way to the sideline. He sat down on the field as medical staff tended to his upper right thigh for a few minutes. In the 11th minute, he was substituted out for Federico Redondo and headed straight to the locker room.
Despite the concern, Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said post-match that Messi was not experiencing significant pain.
Source: Agency