11.08.2025 03:05
Lionel Messi Injury Scare: Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup Hopes in Jeopardy Against Pumas UNAM?
Updated on: Aug 03, 2025 08:55 am IST
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi suffered an injury in the eighth minute of the match after a tackle by two defenders near the penalty area.
Lionel Messi, the World Cup-winning star of Inter Miami, sustained a hamstring injury during the team’s Leagues Cup victory against Club Necaxa.
Messi was injured in the eighth minute following a tackle near the penalty area. Inter Miami eventually triumphed in the game during a penalty shootout.
The 38-year-old Argentine returned to the bench after his injury before sitting on the pitch. Trainers then attended to his right upper thigh, and he was substituted out in the 11th minute.
What the Inter Miami coach said about Messi’s injury
Team coach Javier Mascherano commented on Messi’s injury post-match, stating that while Messi didn’t experience acute pain, there was a noticeable pull. He mentioned that a follow-up examination on Sunday would clarify the injury’s severity.
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“There’s probably something there,” Mascherano noted.
Will Messi be available for the match against Pumas UNAM?
Inter Miami is scheduled to face Pumas UNAM on August 7 in the Leagues Cup group stage. The game is just four days away. Depending on the injury’s severity, Messi might play or be sidelined.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Grade 1 hamstring injuries typically heal within a week, and with the level of medical care Messi can access, he might be fit for the Pumas UNAM match if the injury isn’t severe.
Grade 2 and 3 injuries require months for recovery. Yet, since Messi was able to walk back to the bench and didn’t require a stretcher, it suggests the injury might not be too serious as he put some pressure on his feet.
The game between Inter Miami and Necaxa concluded with a 2-2 draw, with Inter winning on penalties. Both teams ended the match with ten players, as Inter’s Maxi Falcón was red-carded early, while Necaxa’s Cristian Calderón was dismissed in the 60th minute.
(With AP inputs)
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Stay updated with the latest sports news, including the newest headlines and updates from the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Indian athletes vie for glory. Follow all Grand Slam tennis action, track your favorite football teams and players with recent match results, and keep up with international hockey tournaments.