(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Lionel Messi Sidelined Indefinitely with Minor Muscle Injury, Inter Miami Confirms
Inter Miami captain and global football icon Lionel Messi will be out of action indefinitely due to a minor muscle injury in his right leg, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club confirmed in an official statement on Sunday.
The 38-year-old Argentine superstar picked up the injury during Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Mexico’s Necaxa on Saturday. Messi exited the game in the 11th minute, walking off the pitch and into the locker room after experiencing discomfort.
Following medical evaluation, the club revealed, “The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment.”
With no official timeline for Messi’s return, fans and team officials alike are left anxiously awaiting updates. Messi currently leads the MLS season with 18 goals and has added nine assists in just 18 appearances—making his absence a significant setback for Inter Miami.
Jordi Alba, who scored a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer to force penalties—where Miami triumphed 5-4—called Messi’s early exit “a huge sadness for the whole team.”
Inter Miami is currently fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 12 wins, 4 losses, and 6 draws (42 points). They trail league leaders Philadelphia by eight points but have three games in hand.
The timing of the injury could impact Miami’s performance in the ongoing Leagues Cup, a tournament they won in 2023 soon after Messi’s arrival. Miami is set to host UNAM Pumas on Wednesday and could secure a quarter-final spot with a victory.
Messi’s return remains uncertain, but his health and form will be crucial as Inter Miami aims for both domestic and regional success in the coming weeks.
