Lionel Messi was forced to leave the match between Inter Miami and Necaxa in the 2025 Leagues Cup after just 11 minutes due to discomfort in the back of his right thigh following a collision.
Although the incident raised alarms, the club released an official statement on Sunday confirming: “Medical tests have revealed a minor muscle injury in his right leg,” and that his return will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment. No exact recovery timeline was given, though some reports suggest it could range from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the severity.
Despite Messi’s early departure, Inter Miami managed to draw 2‑2 and win 5‑4 in the penalty shootout, with Jordi Alba scoring in stoppage time and strong performances from Telasco Segovia, Luis Suárez, and others helping to secure the victory.
Will Messi’s absence impact Inter Miami’s performance in the Leagues Cup?
Inter Miami has shown it can compete without him: players like De Paul, Suárez, Alba, and Segovia stepped up after his exit. However, the team’s future matches —against Pumas UNAM and Orlando City, could still be affected by his presence or absence.
The club has indicated that Messi will most likely miss the upcoming match against Pumas this Wednesday, and his participation against Orlando City on August 10 is also uncertain.
