Inter Miami battled Necaxa to a 2-2 draw in their Leagues Cup showdown, ultimately prevailing in a penalty shootout under the direction of head coach Javier Mascherano. However, the storyline that stole the spotlight was the early substitution of Lionel Messi due to injury.
Following the match, Inter Miami released an official injury update—presented by Baptist Health—regarding their captain. Messi underwent medical testing to determine the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced during the first half of the game, which forced him to come off the field prematurely.
The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His availability moving forward will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment.
Before facing Necaxa, Messi had delivered a standout performance against Atlas, registering two assists with the kind of vision and execution only he can provide. His absence will no doubt be a major loss for Inter Miami, as the team relies heavily on their captain’s leadership and creative play.
How did the injury happen?
The Argentine star started on the right wing, as he often does. Positioned near midfield, Messi received a pass from Rodrigo De Paul and immediately turned toward goal. Just as he approached the edge of the box, he lost possession and appeared to show signs of discomfort—the first indication that something was wrong.
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Moments later, Messi went down near the sideline, triggering immediate concern from head coach Javier Mascherano and the entire technical staff. Medical personnel rushed to his side, and after a brief assessment, he was unable to continue. Federico Redondo came on as his replacement.
What’s next for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami will face Mexican side Pumas on Wednesday, August 6, to wrap up the Leagues Cup group stage. Four days later, on August 10, they will meet Orlando City in the Florida derby as part of their MLS schedule. The stretch continues with a home matchup against the L.A. Galaxy at Chase Stadium on Saturday, August 16.
