Lionel Messi has thrilled American soccer fans during his MLS debut. But on Wednesday, all those fans are collectively holding their breath as he was forced to leave the game early with an apparent injury.
During the 36th minute of Inter Miami’s match against Toronto FC, Messi was seen walking off the pitch with an apparent leg injury, appearing to be walking with a limp. His withdrawal came just minutes after teammate Jordi Alba was also brought off with an injury of his own.
Messi has made an immediate impact since he signed with Inter Miami. He led the team to a Leagues Cup victory, notching 10 goals and four assists during his first seven matches with the team. He is now looking to lead them from bottom of the Eastern Conference to a playoff berth, in what would be a stunning late-season comeback.
The 36-year-old had missed Inter Miami’s last match against Atlanta on Saturday, and had also been held out of Argentina’s World Cup qualifier match against Bolivia earlier in the week. For both absences, Messi was cited as having had fatigue.
Here’s everything you need to know about Messi’s injury on Wednesday.
MORE: Highlights from Inter Miami’s 4-0 win over Toronto FC despite Messi’s injury
⚠️ El Momento Preocupante ⚠️
Lionel Messi removed his armband and was substituted in the first half — a worrying sight in general but specially ahead of next Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup final.#InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/2Y4PEOARkn
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) September 21, 2023
Lionel Messi injury update
Messi could be seen leaving Wednesday’s game with a limp as he headed to the sideline. Speaking to the Apple TV broadcast at halftime, Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said they are taking the injury “as the days go by” but did not provide more information.
The Argentine was seen on the bench in the immediate aftermath of his withdrawal, but eventually he exited the field of play and headed down the tunnel prior to the halftime break. With Inter Miami winning the match 4-0 thanks to two goals and an assist from Robert Taylor, who was the man to replace Messi, there were on-field celebrations of the big victory. However, Messi was not amongst those on the field after the final whistle.
Head coach Gerardo Martino said after the match that Messi was simply suffering from “fatigue” and that they do not believe Messi has a muscle injury.
“They [Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba] looked healthy in the last training sessions and we [the club and the players] believed that they were fit to play,” Martino said. “From talking to them, what they have is related to those previous issues, it’s nothing new or bigger, it’s fatigue and I don’t think there’s any muscle injury.”
The previous issues Martino is referring to was a slight injury suffered in the late stages of Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador earlier this month to begin 2026 World Cup qualifying. He was withdrawn from that match in the 89th minute, and then was not involved against Bolivia before also being rested by Inter Miami against Atlanta United this past weekend.
Well connected TyC Sports reporter Gaston Edul corroborated this in the aftermath of the match, stating that Messi felt “discomfort in the same area” and that it’s “not a new problem.”
#InterMiamiCF coach Tata Martino called the injury to Lionel #Messi𓃵 “not a big thing” and said there was “nothing weird, nothing strange” that they are too worried about.
He said it’s probably just “fatigue” and they don’t believe it’s a muscle injury.
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) September 21, 2023
What games could Lionel Messi miss for Inter Miami?
It’s unclear to what extent Lionel Messi is injured is, but with such a heavy fixture list coming up for Inter Miami, he could be at risk of missing some time in the near future, even if it turns out his problem isn’t too serious.
Inter Miami have six matches remaining in the MLS regular season, chasing a playoff spot and needing points from each game left.
Also, even more critically, the U.S. Open Cup final looms in a week, with an opportunity to win another trophy fast approaching.
Martino said that he “doesn’t know” if Messi or Jordi Alba will be available for that final, and added that regardless of the importance of the match, “they won’t go near the pitch if they can’t play.”
Date
Time (ET)
Match
TV/Streaming
Wed, Sep. 20
7:30 p.m.
vs. Toronto FC
Apple TV/MLS Season Pass
Sun, Sep. 24
7:30 p.m.
at Orlando City SC
Apple TV/MLS Season Pass
Wed, Sep. 27
8:30 p.m.
vs. Houston Dynamo
CBS Sports Network, Telemundo, Universo, Fubo
Sat, Sep. 30
7:30 p.m.
vs. NYCFC
Apple TV/MLS Season Pass
Wed, Oct. 4
8:30 p.m.
at Chicago Fire
Apple TV/MLS Season Pass
Sat, Oct. 7
7:30 p.m.
vs. FC Cincinnati
Apple TV/MLS Season Pass
Wed, Oct. 18
8 p.m.
vs. Charlotte FC
Apple TV/MLS Season Pass
Sat, Oct. 21
6 p.m.
at Charlotte FC
Apple TV/MLS Season Pass
Jordi Alba also injured for Inter Miami
Just minutes before Lionel Messi was withdrawn, Jordi Alba was also forced off the pitch, also limping heavily.
Alba has combined extremely well with Messi from his full-back position since joining Inter Miami, recreating their link-up from their days in Spain.
In fact, those two former Barcelona teammates were just half the injury troubles early in the match, as Toronto FC also suffered a pair of injuries. The visitors saw Victor Vazquez forced off 12 minutes in, and then his replacement Brandon Servania suffered what appeared to be a serious injury 10 minutes later.
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