Early Exit: Messi’s Injury Shocks Fans in Tense Inter Miami Match

Messi, who has dealt with a series of thigh strain related
injuries, which have caused him to miss both international and
club games, only managed to play for 11 minutes at the start of
Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Mexican team Necaxa at
Miami’s Chase Field.

The Argentinian superstar appeared to receive a knock from a
tackle at the edge of the Necaxa box. He attempted to continue
but ended up lying on the ground due to the injury, prompting
the physio team to run onto the field and provide treatment.

Messi’s upper thigh and groin area on his right leg seemed to be
the source of his discomfort, similar to the issue that kept him
out of Argentina’s recent internationals and impacted his
performance during Inter’s Club World Cup run.

Inter managed to score shortly after Messi’s substitution, with
fellow Argentine Federico Redondo taking his place. However, the
team was reduced to 10 players due to a red card in the 17th
minute, allowing Necaxa to equalize. Despite Necaxa taking the
lead late in the match, Jordi Alba’s stoppage-time equalizer
pushed the game into overtime. Inter Miami eventually triumphed
in the penalty shootout, scoring all 5 of their attempts.

Inter Miami coach eases concerns over injury

Messi has delivered a stellar performance this season with 18
goals and 9 assists across just 18 matches for Inter Miami.
However, the injury at 38 years old is a cause for concern for
the Argentine icon.

Fortunately for Messi’s supporters, Miami coach Javier Mascherano
assured that the substitution was mainly precautionary, as Messi
felt some ‘discomfort’ in his hamstring without experiencing real
pain: “Leo felt discomfort in his hamstring, and until tomorrow
we won’t know the extent of the injury…He probably has
something, but it might not be too serious because he wasn’t in
pain. He felt discomfort, and that’s why he came off.”

Miami is attempting to secure another Leagues Cup victory after
their 2023 triumph, which marked Messi’s first trophy with the
Florida-based team. This year’s tournament features an updated
format with 18 teams from the MLS and 18 from Mexico’s Liga MX
competing for the title.

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