Greg . 2 days ago

Lionel Messi exits Leagues Cup match after 11 minutes with hamstring injury

Lionel Messi suffered a hamstring injury and was removed in the 11th minute of Saturday's Leagues Cup match against Necaxa at Fort Lauderdale's Chase Stadium.

The 38-year-old Argentine superstar forward showed up to be having treatment on his upper right leg or groin before making his exit under his own power and walking to the locker room.

It was later depicted as hamstring discomfort.

"Well, he sensed a discomfort, and we will not be able to know until tomorrow how severe the injury is," coach Javier Mascherano said after the match.

"There's probably something there.

Maybe not as important, because he was really not in pain.

But he did sense a pull.

"Messi took the ball and dribbled into the Necaxa support line, but he stumbled at the top of the box and ran into Necaxa defender Alexis Pena, then tumbled to the crushed, pounding the pitch in frustration as the ball was cleared away.

Moments later, Herons captain Messi was alone near midfield on the left wing by himself when he moved to the crushed in a seated position, lying on his support briefly until trainers reached.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano elected to send in Federico Redondo to replace Messi.

During the Argentine World Cup qualifiers in March, Messi was nagged by thigh strain issues.

Messi has scored 18 goals and assisted on nine others in 18 MLS appearances this season.

He assisted on both Inter Miami goals in a 2-1 victory over Atlas on Wednesday in their opener in the Leagues Cup, a tournament involving MLS and Mexican League squads.

Miami conclude group stage play in the event on Wednesday against Pumas.

Messi led Inter Miami to the inaugural Leagues Cup crown in 2023 just after his arrival with the MLS club.

Pursue here for Inter Miami's matchup against Necaxa.