Player Messi leaves Inter Miami game prematurely due to hamstring problem
Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and captain of Inter Miami, suffered a setback during the club's Leagues Cup match against Necaxa on August 2, 2025. The injury occurred in the 11th minute of the game when Messi collided with Necaxa defender Alexis Pena.
Messi, aged 38, limped off the field under his own power after being tended to by trainers. He was later diagnosed with a minor muscle strain in his right hamstring. The severity of the injury will not be fully understood until tomorrow, but it is expected to keep him out of at least the next Leagues Cup group stage game against Pumas UNAM on August 6, 2025.
Inter Miami manager, Javier Mascherano, confirmed that Messi is currently experiencing hamstring discomfort. The Argentine football legend has had a history of fitness issues since joining Inter Miami in 2023, missing several games due to minor ailments and injuries. His previous injuries included adductor and thigh strain issues, which caused him to miss World Cup qualifiers.
Despite the injury, Messi remains the joint top scorer in Major League Soccer with 18 goals. He also provided two assists in Miami's first Leagues Cup match against Atlas Guadalajara. The ownership group of Inter Miami, led by David Beckham, will be hoping for a swift recovery for their star player.
Messi's return to action depends on his clinical progress and response to treatment. Given the nature of hamstring injuries, even a minor strain requires careful management to avoid setbacks. The medical staff will be closely monitoring his recovery to ensure he is fit and ready to return to the field as soon as possible.
The Leagues Cup tournament continues without Messi, but his absence is sure to be felt. Fans and teammates alike will be eagerly awaiting news of his recovery and his return to the pitch. In the meantime, Inter Miami will need to rally together and show resilience in his absence.
[1] ESPN. (2025). Lionel Messi leaves Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match with hamstring injury. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/soccer/inter-miami/story/4641421/lionel-messi-leaves-inter-miamis-leagues-cup-match-with-hamstring-injury
[2] Sports Illustrated. (2025). Lionel Messi Sustains Hamstring Injury During Inter Miami's Leagues Cup Match Against Necaxa. [online] Available at: https://www.si.com/soccer/2025/08/02/lionel-messi-hamstring-injury-inter-miami-leagues-cup
[3] CBS Sports. (2025). Lionel Messi's hamstring injury: What we know about Inter Miami star's injury. [online] Available at: https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/lionel-messis-hamstring-injury-what-we-know-about-inter-miami-stars-injury/
[4] BBC Sport. (2025). Lionel Messi leaves Leagues Cup match with injury. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62423522
[5] Goal.com. (2025). Lionel Messi injury update: Inter Miami captain out of Leagues Cup match against Pumas UNAM. [online] Available at: https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/lionel-messi-injury-update-inter-miami-captain-out-of-leagues-cup-match-against/blt36d217201c70e61c
- While American football dominates headlines in the sports world, Lionel Messi's absence due to a hamstring injury in American-football will likely be felt severely by Inter Miami as Messi, the American Major League Soccer's joint top scorer, is expected to miss at least their next Leagues Cup group stage game.
- Despite the setback, Messi's love for sports, particularly football, is evident as he strives to recover from his right hamstring strain, a common injury in both American-football and association football, to return to the field as soon as possible.
