by Fort Lauderdale, Florida — August 2, 2025
Lionel Messi limped off just 11 minutes into Inter Miami’s group-stage match against Club Necaxa at Chase Stadium, signaling possible hamstring discomfort after a collision with Raúl Sánchez and Alexis Peña. Moments later, Miami rallied to a dramatic 2‑2 draw, then clinched the penalty‑shootout 5‑4, maintaining their perfect Leagues Cup record—all despite operating two men down.
The Incident & Immediate Reactions
Messi chased a 50‑50 ball into the top of the box before stumbling and slamming the turf in frustration. He sat alone near the halfway line before medical staff intervened, at which point Messi exited under his own power. He was replaced by Federico Redondo as the crowd watched nervously on.
Head coach Javier Mascherano offered cautious optimism in his post-match comments:
“Leo felt a discomfort in his hamstring … We won’t know the extent of the injury until tomorrow. He probably has something wrong. It might not be that serious because he wasn’t in pain, but he did feel discomfort.
Match Roll‑Call: Chaos, Courage & Comeback
Before Messi’s departure and alongside two red cards (Maximiliano Falcón of Miami and Cristian Calderón of Necaxa), the Herons saw Telasco Segovia open the score within minutes of Messi’s exit. Necaxa levelled through Ricardo Montreal, only for Jordi Alba to nod home a stoppage‑time equaliser that took the match to penalties. Miami converted all five spot kicks; the hero was Luis Suárez, who struck the winner off the underside of the crossbar, with goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo denying Tomás Badaloni in the third round.
Injury Context: Disrupted Excellence
Messi, 38, had played every minute of 16 consecutive matches for Miami across MLS, the Club World Cup, and Concacaf Champions Cup before Saturday—a streak halted abruptly by his hamstring issue. After skipping the MLS All‑Star Game last week (invoking a suspension for the FC Cincinnati match), he responded by assisting both goals in Miami’s opening Leagues Cup win over Atlas. His season remains prolific: 18 goals and nine assists in 18 MLS appearances.
His hamstring and adductor muscles have given trouble throughout recent years, including an injury that sidelined him during Argentina’s World Cup qualifying run and limited him post‑Copa América 2024. Given his age and workload, Mascherano’s caution likely slows down any return timeline.
What’s Next: Recovery Races the Schedule
Preliminary scans and assessments are due Sunday (Aug 3) to determine whether Messi faces a mild (10–14 days) or more moderate (3–6 weeks) recovery. Inter Miami closes Phase One vs Pumas UNAM on Wednesday, August 6, and may require careful management before potential knockout fixtures begin August 19.
If Messi is sidelined, Miami may shift to a more physical midfield structure (Rodrigo De Paul, Busquets, Cremaschi) and increased reliance on Suárez’s leadership. The league pauses again for MLS action around August 10, intensifying the need for recovery protocols and rotation.
Takeaway: Victory Overlayed with Vulnerability
Miami emerge 1‑0‑1 (5 points) in Leagues Cup play, still in strong position to finish among the top four MLS sides and reach the knockout phase. Yet Saturday’s late drama carried a heavy caveat: without Messi, their title defence becomes far more demanding. Amid mounting fixtures, the Argentine’s health dictates not only his own longevity—but may shape Miami’s ability to transcend beyond Phase One under increased strain.
