Lionel Messi got hurt in his hamstring and had to leave the Leagues Cup match against Necaxa in just the 11th minute. The game was played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The 38-year-old Argentine star seemed to be getting treatment on the upper part of his right leg or groin before walking off the field by himself and heading to the locker room.
Later, it was said that he felt discomfort in his hamstring.
Coach Javier Mascherano said after the match, “He felt some discomfort. We won’t know how serious it is until tomorrow. It doesn’t seem too bad since he wasn’t in much pain, but he did feel a pull.”
Messi had the ball and tried to move past the Necaxa defense. But he stumbled near the penalty area, bumped into defender Alexis Pena, and fell to the ground. He hit the ground in frustration as the ball was cleared away.
Coach Javier Mascherano decided to replace Messi with Federico Redondo.
Back in March, during the World Cup qualifiers, Messi had problems with a thigh injury.
This season in MLS, Messi has scored 18 goals and made 9 assists in 18 matches.
On Wednesday, he helped Inter Miami win 2-1 over Atlas by assisting both goals in their first Leagues Cup match.
Miami will play their next group match in the Leagues Cup against Pumas on Wednesday.
Last year, Messi helped Inter Miami win the first-ever Leagues Cup soon after joining the team.
FAQ
What happened to Lionel Messi during the Leagues Cup match?
Messi suffered a hamstring injury and had to leave the match after sitting down near midfield without contact.
Which team was Inter Miami playing when Messi got injured?
Inter Miami was playing in a Leagues Cup match, having previously faced Atlas and set to play Pumas next.
Who replaced Messi after his injury?
Federico Redondo came on as a substitute for Messi after the injury.
Has Messi had similar injury issues before?
Yes, Messi had a thigh strain during Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers in March, raising concerns about recurring muscle problems.
How has Messi performed in MLS this season?
Messi has been outstanding, scoring 18 goals and providing 9 assists in just 18 appearances for Inter Miami.
