Lionel Messi and Inter Miami ran into unexpected trouble in the home stretch of their preseason. As the Herons confirmed, the Argentine star is out with an injury just weeks away from the start of the MLS season.
“Messi did not participate in training this Wednesday, February 11, due to a muscle strain in his left hamstring sustained during the match against Barcelona SC in Ecuador, which has persisted since then,” Inter Miami’s official statement read.
As a result, the friendly match between Inter Miami and Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle—scheduled for Feb. 12nd—has been postponed to Feb. 26. The venue and kickoff time remain unchanged.
Thus, the game will still be played at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico at 7 p.m. ET, but exactly two weeks later. Following the unexpected setback in the preseason tour, Messi broke his silence on the injury that postponed Inter Miami’s final friendly before the MLS season gets underway.
When could Messi return?
As the news of Messi’s hamstring injury arrived like a bucket of ice-cold water for Inter Miami, the Herons are still adjusting to their sudden change of plans. “His gradual return to training will depend on his clinical and functional progress in the coming days,” the club announced regarding Messi’s recovery.
Fans in Fort Lauderdale remain hopeful he can be back in time for the opening week of the new MLS campaign. On February 21, the Herons will take on LAFC on the road at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. If Messi isn’t healthy enough to play, Inter Miami could be in for trouble.
In the short term, Messi has 10 days to regain full fitness, but in the bigger picture, considering the 2026 FIFA World Cup is looming on the horizon, it may be wise for him to be extra cautious and avoid re-aggravating any issue.