Lionel Messi suffered a mild muscle injury in his right leg and left the field just 11 minutes into Inter Miami’s match against Necaxa in the Leagues Cup. The club confirmed the issue after medical tests but didn’t set a return date, saying his clearance will depend on clinical progress and how he responds to treatment. The incident happened after a sprint and a collision with two defenders from the Mexican side. Messi tried to keep going but quickly signaled for a substitution, making way for Federico Redondo.
The 2-2 draw in regular time ended with Inter Miami winning 5-4 on penalties, but the sight of their No. 10 walking off stole the spotlight from the result. At 38, the Argentine is a central figure in the team’s 2025 campaign and has put up impressive numbers: 24 goals and 10 assists in 31 games for the club this season.
A heavy workload and little rest
Messi has been playing almost nonstop. Since February, he’s appeared in 31 matches for Inter Miami and two more for Argentina, totaling 2,581 minutes on the pitch. In the MLS regular season, he’s played in 18 of 22 matches, sitting out four for load management.
Even without a history of frequent muscle injuries, his age and the packed schedule are starting to take a toll. The Argentine has logged 1,565 of a possible 1,620 minutes in the league — an incredibly high rate for any athlete, especially someone past the age of 35. That kind of workload, combined with travel and high-stakes games, increases the risk of fatigue and physical problems.
Impact on Inter Miami
Messi’s absence is both a technical and emotional blow. On the field, he’s the one creating plays, deciding games, and drawing defenders. Without him, the team loses creativity and key attacking references. The club knows it has to handle this carefully. Rushing him back could turn a minor injury into something much more serious. On the other hand, every game without Messi is felt in the team’s performance since he’s their main difference-maker.
Messi is at the heart of Inter Miami’s sporting project, and managing his physical condition will be critical for the final stretch of the season. The top priority now is making sure he returns at 100 percent so he can keep leading the team in the hunt for trophies and maintain the high level of performance he’s delivered since arriving in MLS.