Messi suffered ‘minor muscle injury’ in right leg. Here is latest update
Lionel Messi sustained “a minor muscle injury in his right leg” during Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup penalty shootout win over Necaxa on Saturday, according to a club statement.
He underwent medical exams on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury and the timetable for his return is undetermined. “His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment,” said the press release.
Inter Miami plays next at home on Wednesday night against Mexican club Pumas in its third and final Leagues Cup group game. Miami sits in third place on the MLS side of the tournament table through two games and will advance to the quarterfinals with a victory against Pumas. The top four teams from MLS and Liga MX move on to the knockout stage.
The Seattle Sounders are in first place with six points, the Portland Timbers are second, also with six points, Miami has five points (a regulation win and a penalty shootout win), and Minnesota has the best goal differential among six teams with four points. Miami could advance with a tie, but it would be less likely because it would come down to goal differential.
Messi was injured when fell to the ground and clutched his leg after being challenged by defenders Raul Sanchez and Alexi Pena at the 11-minute mark of the game on Saturday. He stumbled, got up, tried to walk it off, but then sat down and sought medical attention. Messi was clearly dejected as he removed his captain’s armband and headed to the tunnel.
The 38-year-old Argentine star had been on a hot streak of late with a brace in six of seven matches. He scored 18 goals and had nine assists in 18 MLS games and played 90-plus minutes in 20 matches in a row, including four in the Club World Cup.
He had two assists in Miami’s 2-1 Leagues Cup opening win against Atlas last week and was named MLS Player of the Month.
“Obviously, we feel it when he is not on the field, he’s the best player in the world,” said goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo, who made a big save in the penalty shootout. “We want to have him playing. But these are things that can happen to anyone. We have to carry on without him. No excuses.”
Midfielder Fede Redondo added: “He’s our captain, our leader, and we hope he recovers as soon as possible.”
Inter Miami expected to appeal Falcon red card
Inter Miami is expected to appeal Maxi Falcon’s red card that sent him off early in the game against Necaxa on Saturday, in the hopes he can be available for Wednesday’s game, according to a league source. Falcon slightly tugged on the shirt of Diber Cambindo as he raced toward the edge of the box, but had let go before the player fell down.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano criticized officials after the game for ejecting Falcon without a video review. He added that it was wrong that the head referee, Daniel Quintero Huitron, is from Mexico because Necaxa is a Mexican club. Jordi Alba also said in his post-game interview that the referee should not be of the same nationality as either team playing in a match.
“My feeling after this game is totally bitter,” Mascherano said. “We had the game in control, we had taken a lead despite Leo’s injury, and then a foul that was not a foul, ruining a game, possibly ruining our chance of advancing [in the tournament] and you end up dumbfounded. At the very least go to VAR to justify it.
“I don’t like to speak too much about this, but I am not going to let them step on our head...Never in my career as a player and my short time as a coach have I participated in a game where the referee is from the country of one of the teams playing. That is wrong. I am not saying the call was because of his nationality, but I find it very strange that they did not go to VAR on an expulsion that changed the game. It would have taken 30 seconds, maybe one minute. If they are going to have a serious competition, that needs to change.”
Injury update
Goalkeeper Drake Callender, who had returned to full training after a long layoff following sports hernia surgery, suffered a setback and missed practice last week...Oscar Ustari, who has been the starter all season, is recovering from a hamstring injury.
This story was originally published August 3, 2025 at 11:30 PM.