Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi is out indefinitely after suffering a minor muscle injury in his right leg, the MLS club confirmed in a statement.
The 38-year-old left the field just 11 minutes into Miami’s Leagues Cup win over Mexico’s Necaxa on Saturday. Although he walked off without assistance, scans later revealed the upper leg injury.
“His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment,” the club said, offering no timetable for his return.
Messi currently leads the MLS with 18 goals and has contributed nine assists in just 18 matches this season.
His teammate Jordi Alba, who scored a stoppage-time equalizer to force a penalty shootout that Miami won 5–4, called the injury “a huge sadness for the whole team.”
Inter Miami, set to face UNAM Pumas on Wednesday, sits second in its Leagues Cup group with five points. A win would secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
