Inter Miami boss Tata Martino has shared that Lionel Messi was removed from their CONCACAF Champions Cup match Wednesday due to a leg injury.
Speaking postgame after their 3-1 (5-3 aggregate) victory over Nashville SC, Martino shared that the Argentine is likely to be a doubt this weekend when the Herons take on D.C. United. Messi was subbed off in the 49th minute of the match, just four minutes into the second half. Prior to his removal, he net both a goal and an assist in the first half of the leg two tie.
“He is overloaded on the right posterior [leg]. We don’t want to run a risk. We tried to see if he could go for a little longer, but it was bothering him … I imagine that for Saturday’s game (@ DC United) he is not going to be available”
The Miami Herald’s Michelle Kaufman reports that the injury sustained is a hamstring strain. Ahead of two international friendlies with Argentina starting next week, the Herons talisman’s status for both club and country is now seemingly up in the air.
He recently missed Inter Miami’s shocking 3-2 loss to CF Montreal due to what Martino described as ‘rest’ for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, but many suspected it was due to a shin injury that had him listed as questionable on the club’s injury report just hours before the match.
Last Fall, when Messi was sidelined with a “scar tissue flare-up,” he missed four matches for Inter Miami. The Herons went winless in the six matches – across all competitions – that followed. In 2024, their one match without them is also their only loss across all competitions.
The Herons are back in action at the weekend against D.C. United and ex-Liverpool stud Christian Benteke, but as reported, Messi is likely a doubt for the tie. It’s unknown how serious the injury sustained is, but he is set to be sidelined for at least a week and now could end up missing out on the forthcoming international break with Argentina.
