Messi Exits Match Injured In Miami’s Leagues Cup Victory

Lionel Messi was forced to leave the pitch in the 11th minute due to injury during Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Mexico’s Necaxa on Saturday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Despite his early exit, Inter Miami secured a 5-4 win on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation.

The 38-year-old Argentine star appeared to be receiving treatment on his upper right leg or groin before walking off the field under his own power. He was later seen heading to the locker room. Head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that more details on the injury will be known by Sunday.

“He felt some discomfort,” Mascherano said post-match. “We’re not sure how serious it is yet. Maybe it’s nothing major because he wasn’t in obvious pain, but he did feel a pull.”

The injury occurred after Messi tried to dribble through the Necaxa defence. He stumbled near the top of the box after colliding with defender Alexis Peña, then pounded the ground in frustration as the ball was cleared. Minutes later, he sat down alone near midfield, prompting medical staff to attend to him. Federico Redondo came on as his replacement.

The dramatic match remained level at 2-2 through 90 minutes. Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia gave Inter Miami the lead in the 12th minute, but Miami went down to 10 men after Uruguayan defender Maximiliano Falcón was shown a red card in the 17th. Necaxa equalized in the 33rd through striker Tomás Badaloni.

Necaxa was also reduced to 10 players when Cristian Calderón received a red card in the 60th minute. Substitute Ricardo Monreal put the Mexican side ahead in the 81st minute, only for Spain’s Jordi Alba to score a stoppage-time equalizer.

In the penalty shootout, Miami converted all five of their spot kicks through Rodrigo De Paul, Ben Cremaschi, Jordi Alba, Federico Redondo, and Luis Suárez, who netted the match-winner. Necaxa’s Badaloni missed in the third round, sealing Inter Miami’s victory.

The injury setback comes after Messi dealt with thigh issues during World Cup qualifiers in March. So far this MLS season, he has tallied 18 goals and nine assists in 18 appearances.

Messi also had a hand in both goals during Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Atlas in their Leagues Cup opener on Wednesday. Miami will wrap up group stage play against Pumas on Wednesday.

Messi led the team to the inaugural Leagues Cup title in 2023 shortly after joining the club.