Messi Suffers ‘Minor’ Muscle Injury During Leagues Cup Clash

Inter Miami announced Sunday that Lionel Messi has sustained a minor injury to his right leg, leaving his return to the field uncertain.

Messi picked up the muscle issue during Miami’s Leagues Cup contest against Necaxa on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. The incident occurred in the 11th minute following a collision with a pair of opposing players.

Following medical evaluations, the team released a statement on Sunday, characterizing the injury as ‘minor.’ However, they noted that Messi’s availability would hinge on his clinical improvement.

“Messi underwent tests to assess the muscle discomfort experienced during last night’s Leagues Cup match against Necaxa, which led to his substitution,” the club stated in a press release.

“The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His clearance for play will be based on his clinical progress and how he responds to treatment.”

Despite Lionel Messi’s absence, Inter Miami secured a 2-2 draw after regulation time and ultimately prevailed with a 5-4 victory in a penalty shootout.

After two Leagues Cup games, Miami currently holds the second spot in the MLS standings with five points, including one win in regulation time and another via penalty shootout.

The top four MLS teams out of 18 will progress to the quarterfinals, joining the top four teams from the tournament’s 18 Liga MX clubs.

Miami is scheduled to play its final group stage match on Wednesday against Pumas UNAM and will resume regular-season MLS action on August 10 against Orlando City.

Throughout his career, Messi has faced several hamstring injuries, causing him to miss significant playing time. Most recently, he dealt with an issue involving his left adductor, which kept him out of two of Argentina’s World Cup qualifying matches earlier this year.

In 2025, the 37-year-old has participated in 30 matches across all competitions for Inter Miami, contributing 18 goals and nine assists in MLS action.