Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been ruled out indefinitely due to what the club has described as a “minor muscle injury in his right leg,” according to a statement released on Sunday.
The 38-year-old football icon was forced off the field just 11 minutes into Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup clash against Mexico’s Necaxa, which ended in a penalty shootout win for the MLS side. Despite the early setback, Messi walked off unassisted and headed straight to the locker room.
“Messi underwent medical tests to evaluate the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced,” Inter Miami said. “The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment.”
Messi’s injury likely to affect club
The injury comes at a crucial point in the season. Messi is tied for the MLS scoring lead with 18 goals and has also provided nine assists in 18 league appearances. His absence leaves a gap in a Miami side currently sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference with 42 points (12 wins, 4 losses, 6 draws), trailing league leaders Philadelphia by eight points but with three games in hand.
Jordi Alba, who netted the stoppage-time equalizer that sent Saturday’s game into penalties, described Messi’s injury as “a huge sadness for the whole team.”
Inter Miami, last year’s Leagues Cup champions, are aiming for another deep run in the tournament. They currently sit second in their group with five points and can seal a spot in the quarter-finals with a win against UNAM Pumas on Wednesday.
