Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi will be sidelined indefinitely with what the MLS team described as a "minor muscle injury in his right leg" in a statement on Sunday.
The 38-year-old Argentine legend suffered an upper right leg injury early in Miami's penalty-kicks home win over Mexico's Necaxa on Saturday in a Leagues Cup match.
Messi went out in the 11th minute but walked off the field and into the locker room.
Messi "underwent medical tests to evaluate the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced," which forced him out of the match, Inter Miami said in its statement.
"The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment."
That means there is no timetable for a return by the Miami talisman, who shares the MLS season lead with 18 goals and also has nine assists in 18 matches.
Jordi Alba, who netted an equalizer for Miami in second-half stoppage time to set up the penalty shootout the hosts won 5-4, said Messi's early exit was "a huge sadness for the whole team."
Inter Miami is 12-4 with six drawn for 42 points, fifth in the Eastern Conference and eight points adrift of league pace-setter Philadelphia but with three matches in hand.
Any extended absence would also be a major blow for Miami in the Leagues Cup, which Inter won in 2023 just after Messi arrived in South Florida.
Miami, which will host UNAM Pumas on Wednesday, ranks second on the MLS table to qualify for the Leagues Cup knockout stage with five points and would clinch a quarter-final berth with a victory.
gm11
0
Time to retirement . Every season he suffered with an injury in vital time. Major fitness issues r developing for unhealthy lifestyle process. I don’t think he really wants to continue to compete next worldcup. By the way nothing to prove anymore. Stop carrer if ur body doesn’t permit to continue.
It's a small injury, hes not gonna die or retire. Do you know Messi? How does he have a unhealthy lifestyle? He arrives to training before the entire team and puts in the work which he has the stats to prove it, getting more assists and goals than the entire squad. Even when injured. Funny hearing unhealthy non professionals in a comment section tell professionals what to do. He should play as long as he wants, the goat can do what he wants. You get that privilege when your are the best ever.
BREEZE_WEST
0
lol for ever 10 Messi start there is always a 3 month injury 🤣🤣… but when he does start .. he’s incredible and carries the whole team on his back
gm11
0
Old man finished he just forces himself because Cr7 is still playing
You mean that's what has Ronaldo still playing, Messi the GOAT and Ronaldo is trying to be 😂
nombikmoz
0
Inter Miami should not renew his contract until he proves that he can complete the whole without spending half of the season on the sick bed. Al Hilal made the same error with Neymar. Messi is not 20, and he is not going to be 20 again. Ronaldo is different because he took good care of himself. He played in Italy, the most aggressive league, yet he survived without constantly getting injured. Messi is playing against Trans and Bi and still gets injured all the time.
I think you very stupid in your analysis how on earth can you compare Messi to Ronaldo’s playing style. Messi spent most of his times holding the ball to push defenders unlike Ronaldo who with one touch, he pass and run to the box for a cross. This why assists statistics are no were close to comparison. Besides Messi faced the two most aggressive defenders at there timeRAMOS and PEPE.
Womabdlmru
0
Inter Miami should not renew his contract until he proves that he can complete the whole without spending half of the season on the sick bed. Al Hilal made the same error with Neymar. Messi is not 20, and he is not going to be 20 again. Ronaldo is different because he took good care of himself. He played in Italy, the most aggressive league, yet he survived without constantly getting injured. Messi is playing against Trans and Bi and still gets injured all the time.
hater !!!
Womabdlmru
1
hater
vuaabdipu
3
I wish he would get back to the field by Thursday
Cicblnopyz
1
Old man finished he just forces himself because Cr7 is still playing
vucbdilmnz
0
Inter Miami should not renew his contract until he proves that he can complete the whole without spending half of the season on the sick bed. Al Hilal made the same error with Neymar. Messi is not 20, and he is not going to be 20 again. Ronaldo is different because he took good care of himself. He played in Italy, the most aggressive league, yet he survived without constantly getting injured. Messi is playing against Trans and Bi and still gets injured all the time.
ronaldo going to 20 again 🤣
libbdtyz
0
Inter Miami should not renew his contract until he proves that he can complete the whole without spending half of the season on the sick bed. Al Hilal made the same error with Neymar. Messi is not 20, and he is not going to be 20 again. Ronaldo is different because he took good care of himself. He played in Italy, the most aggressive league, yet he survived without constantly getting injured. Messi is playing against Trans and Bi and still gets injured all the time.
this kind of hate, will make you say any nonsense, yet will be ok in your eyes... because of hate and Evy. messy is 38, he is not young.
wombeilryz
0
Inter Miami should not renew his contract until he proves that he can complete the whole without spending half of the season on the sick bed. Al Hilal made the same error with Neymar. Messi is not 20, and he is not going to be 20 again. Ronaldo is different because he took good care of himself. He played in Italy, the most aggressive league, yet he survived without constantly getting injured. Messi is playing against Trans and Bi and still gets injured all the time.
If you think it is easy to play football then make it your profession. Don't talk shit when you know nothing about football
vokdikprz
2
Inter Miami should not renew his contract until he proves that he can complete the whole without spending half of the season on the sick bed. Al Hilal made the same error with Neymar. Messi is not 20, and he is not going to be 20 again. Ronaldo is different because he took good care of himself. He played in Italy, the most aggressive league, yet he survived without constantly getting injured. Messi is playing against Trans and Bi and still gets injured all the time.
Mitabioptz
1
c cn nck I gh
sumdeimnru
0
quickly recovery legend
pasbeimtz
0
retirement loading
Constantinetino
0
Time to retirement . Every season he suffered with an injury in vital time. Major fitness issues r developing for unhealthy lifestyle process. I don’t think he really wants to continue to compete next worldcup. By the way nothing to prove anymore. Stop carrer if ur body doesn’t permit to continue.
Say that to Neymar not Messi, Has he told u that his ready to retire now
Tomckmtyz
1
Time to retirement . Every season he suffered with an injury in vital time. Major fitness issues r developing for unhealthy lifestyle process. I don’t think he really wants to continue to compete next worldcup. By the way nothing to prove anymore. Stop carrer if ur body doesn’t permit to continue.
Guess you don't know how many games he has played on a stretch..
Tushercg
0
Time to retirement . Every season he suffered with an injury in vital time. Major fitness issues r developing for unhealthy lifestyle process. I don’t think he really wants to continue to compete next worldcup. By the way nothing to prove anymore. Stop carrer if ur body doesn’t permit to continue.
Haebmnopsz
1
🇦🇷🇦🇷🥇🏅🏆🏆
Haebmnopsz
1
Hi
TheBeloved
1
'Out indefinitely with minor muscle injury' is a very self-contradicting statement.
Desciklnot
3
Football is injured 😔
bebbekmoz
1
Underrated player Messi