FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (BN24) — Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been ruled out indefinitely due to a minor muscle injury in his right leg, the club confirmed in a statement Monday, casting uncertainty over the immediate future of one of Major League Soccer’s biggest stars.
The 38-year-old Argentine icon exited Saturday’s Leagues Cup match against Mexico’s Necaxa just 11 minutes into play after appearing to suffer discomfort in his upper right leg. Though he walked off the pitch under his own power and went straight to the locker room, subsequent scans revealed a muscle strain that will require ongoing assessment.
“The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg,” the club said. “His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment.”
The indefinite absence comes at a crucial point in the season for both Messi and Inter Miami. Messi, who is tied for the MLS scoring lead with 18 goals and has tallied nine assists in 18 appearances, has been instrumental in Miami’s surge up the table. His injury not only puts his return timeline in question but also adds pressure to a squad pushing for success in both league and Leagues Cup competition.
Teammate Jordi Alba, who scored a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time to help force penalties in Miami’s 5-4 shootout victory against Necaxa, reflected on the emotional impact of Messi’s early exit. “It was a huge sadness for the whole team,” Alba said after the match.
Miami sits second in its Leagues Cup group with five points and is set to host Mexico’s UNAM Pumas on Wednesday. A win would secure a spot in the tournament’s quarterfinals, but they may now have to do it without their captain and talisman.
The club has not released an expected return date, and Messi’s availability will hinge on his day-to-day recovery.
