Football BaBe
Lionel Messi Faces Setback with Muscle Injury at Inter Miami
Lionel Messi‘s dynamic presence on the field takes a brief pause as Inter Miami deals with his recent muscle injury from the Leagues Cup.
In the world of soccer, even legends like Lionel Messi aren’t immune to the physical toll of the game. As Inter Miami navigates the competitive landscape of the 2025 season, the news of Messi’s minor muscle issue in his right leg has fans and analysts alike pondering the team’s strategy moving forward. This development highlights the challenges of managing star players amid a packed schedule, and with no clear return date, the focus shifts to how the squad adapts in his absence.
- Miami confirms Messi muscle injury
- Club has no timeline for return
- Argentine has played heavy minutes in 2025
Details Emerge on Lionel Messi’s Leagues Cup Injury Incident
On Sunday, Inter Miami officially announced that their star player, Lionel Messi, encountered a slight muscular problem during their recent Leagues Cup encounter with Necaxa.
The incident unfolded early in the game when Messi clashed with a pair of opposing defenders near the edge of Necaxa’s box just seven minutes into the Saturday evening matchup. He attempted to push through the discomfort momentarily but had to exit the field after only four more minutes, making way for substitute Federico Redondo before heading directly to the changing area.
According to the team’s official release, “Following diagnostic evaluations to assess the muscular strain Messi felt in yesterday’s Leagues Cup clash against Necaxa that led to his substitution, the findings revealed a mild injury in his right leg. His availability going forward will be determined by how he responds to therapy and his overall recovery trajectory.”
Inter Miami’s Performance Amid the Challenge
The match ended in a 2-2 stalemate after full time, but Inter Miami secured the win via penalties, earning them a total of two points. After their initial pair of fixtures in the tournament, the team has accumulated five points overall.
Lionel Messi’s Intense Workload in the 2025 Season
Messi has been a cornerstone for Inter Miami this year, accumulating an impressive 1,565 minutes out of a potential 1,620 in 18 league outings. Adding to that, he featured in every second of the team’s four outings at the June Club World Cup, plus another 555 minutes from earlier CONCACAF Champions Cup games.
This brings his cumulative playing time for the season to 2,581 minutes. From late February onward, the veteran has participated in 31 club games for Miami, supplemented by two international appearances for Argentina.
Managing Fatigue and Absences for the Soccer Icon
At 37 years old, Messi was chosen for the MLS All-Star event but opted out of participating, coupled with a one-game ban. Coach Javier Mascherano pointed to scheduling overload as a key factor.
Early in the MLS campaign, Messi sat out several fixtures under what Mascherano described as careful player rotation to prevent burnout. In total, he’s been absent for four league contests.
Looking back, Messi was sidelined for the full 2024 Leagues Cup following his Copa America commitments with Argentina, due to a prior ailment.
Updated Insights on Player Management in Modern Soccer
Recent trends in the sport, including data from the 2024-2025 seasons, show that top athletes like Messi average around 2,500-3,000 minutes annually to balance performance and health, a figure that aligns closely with his current stats. Teams are increasingly using AI-driven analytics to monitor fatigue, much like how Inter Miami is handling Messi’s case to ensure longevity.
Upcoming Challenges for Inter Miami Without Messi
The squad is set to resume Leagues Cup action midweek, facing off against Liga MX side PUMAS, as they aim to maintain momentum despite the uncertainty surrounding their key player’s recovery.
