Messi Out Indefinitely with Minor Muscle Injury, Says Inter Miami

Inter Miami has confirmed that global football icon Lionel Messi is sidelined indefinitely due to a minor muscle injury in his right leg.

The Argentine forward, who exited the Leagues Cup clash against Necaxa in just the 11th minute, is undergoing treatment, with his return hinging on how quickly he responds to rehabilitation.

The club issued a statement describing the injury as a “minor muscle strain” in the hamstring region and noted that Messi would not feature in upcoming fixtures until medical staff deem him fully fit. Although no specific return date has been provided, Inter Miami stressed that his condition is being closely monitored.

The injury occurred during Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match on Saturday, when Messi appeared to pull up mid-run and was seen holding the back of his right thigh.

Head coach Javier Mascherano, who previously played alongside Messi at both Barcelona and for Argentina, said the star felt tightness and was immediately withdrawn as a precaution.

“He felt something in the back of his leg,” Mascherano explained. “We didn’t want to take any chances. It doesn’t look serious, but with someone like Leo, we always take every detail seriously.”

Following Messi’s early exit, Inter Miami went on to draw 2-2 with Necaxa and advanced 5-4 via penalties. Despite the setback, the team showcased resilience, with key contributions from Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Fafà Picault. Young talents such as Benjamin Cremaschi and Telasco Segovia also stepped up in Messi’s absence.

The injury could see Messi miss crucial upcoming matches, including Inter Miami’s next Leagues Cup fixture against Mexico’s Pumas UNAM, as well as an MLS showdown with Orlando City scheduled for August 10.

While medical experts suggest recovery from such minor strains typically ranges from several days to a couple of weeks, the club is being cautious given Messi’s age and workload.

Inter Miami, who have built their attack around Messi, will now look to other veterans like Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Suárez to maintain their momentum as the team pushes further into the tournament season.

Meanwhile, fans and analysts alike are holding their breath, hopeful that the injury remains as minor as initially assessed and that the Argentine talisman will return soon to continue leading the Miami side in what has been an impressive run since his arrival.