Star player Messi reportedly sustained a minor muscle injury, according to Inter Miami, with their estimation of his return date unknown at this time
Inter Miami Star Lionel Messi Suffers Minor Muscle Injury
Lionel Messi, the star player for Inter Miami, is currently dealing with a minor muscle injury in his right leg, following an incident during the Leagues Cup match against Necaxa on August 2, 2025.
The injury, a pull in Messi's right hamstring area, forced him off the pitch just before the 11th minute of the game. Trainers worked on him for a couple of minutes before he was subbed out for Federico Redondo[1][2][3].
Messi walked slowly towards the Inter Miami bench before sitting down on the pitch, but Miami coach Javier Mascherano stated after the game that Messi wasn't in any pain[1]. However, this contradicts the earlier mentioned discomfort experienced by Messi after the play.
The exact recovery timeline remains uncertain and will depend on Messi’s progress and response to treatment. Inter Miami’s medical team will evaluate him further in the coming days to determine when he can return to play[1][2][3][4].
With important upcoming fixtures, including a Leagues Cup game against Pumas UNAM on August 6 and an MLS match versus Orlando City on August 10, whether Messi will feature in these depends on how his recovery advances[1].
Inter Miami's statement indicates that Messi's medical clearance will depend on how he responds to treatment. No further details about Messi's injury or recovery timeline were provided by the article.
References:
[1] ESPN. (2025). Lionel Messi leaves Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match with injury. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/soccer/inter-miami-cf/story/4802640/lionel-messi-leaves-inter-miamis-leagues-cup-match-with-injury
[2] CBS Sports. (2025). Inter Miami vs. Necaxa: Recap and highlights from Leagues Cup match. Retrieved from https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/inter-miami-vs-necaxa-recap-and-highlights-from-leagues-cup-match/
[3] The Athletic. (2025). Lionel Messi's injury: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://theathletic.com/2625203/2025/08/03/lionel-messis-injury-what-we-know-so-far/
[4] Inter Miami CF. (2025). Club Statement: Lionel Messi. Retrieved from https://www.intermiamicf.com/post/2025/08/03/club-statement-lionel-messi
Despite the injury, Messi's upcoming involvement in European-leagues games such as Laliga remains uncertain due to his recovery progress from the muscle strain in his right leg. His medical clearance and possible return to play will depend on how he responds to treatment, according to Inter Miami's statement.
