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A collective hush fell over Chase Stadium on Saturday night, a sound far more deafening than any goal celebration. In the 11th minute of a crucial Leagues Cup match against Mexico’s Necaxa, Lionel Messi, the heartbeat of Inter Miami, crumpled to the turf. He left the field on his own power but with a clear look of discomfort, leaving fans, teammates, and the entire football world to hold its breath.
The initial news from the Inter Miami medical staff was cautious. Messi had to be substituted for Federico Redondo in the opening minutes, with coach Javier Mascherano later confirming that the Argentine star felt “a pull.” While Mascherano struck an optimistic tone, noting that Messi didn’t seem to be in significant pain, a subsequent statement from the club confirmed the worst fears of the supporters: a minor muscle injury in his right leg.
This latest setback is particularly concerning given Messi’s recent history with muscle issues. The 38-year-old has dealt with similar ailments throughout 2025, including a strained adductor that saw him miss a pair of World Cup qualifiers for Argentina. He also sat out the MLS All-Star Game, with the club citing fatigue as a key factor. This pattern of small, recurring injuries raises questions about the physical demands being placed on a player of his age, even one with a fitness regimen as meticulous as Messi’s.
For Inter Miami, the timing couldn’t be worse. The club is in the midst of a tight race for a knockout-round spot in the Leagues Cup. While they managed to secure a penalty shootout victory against Necaxa without their captain, his absence creates a significant vacuum both on the field and in the locker room. The team now faces the challenge of advancing in a high-stakes tournament without its most pivotal player.
The recovery timeline for a minor muscle injury, or “Grade 1 strain” as it is often colloquially referred to, typically ranges from one to three weeks. However, the club’s official statement remains non-committal, stating that Messi’s return will be determined by his “clinical progress and response to treatment.” This vague timeline leaves fans and analysts speculating on when, or even if, he will be fit to return for the knockout stages should Miami qualify.
As the team prepares for its next match, the weight of Messi’s absence looms large. For a team built around his unparalleled creativity and leadership, the upcoming games will be a true test of their resilience and depth. The football world waits anxiously for another update, hoping that a minor muscle injury for the greatest player of all time will not evolve into a major setback for both him and his club.
