Inter Miami’s esteemed player, Lionel Messi, is currently contending with a leg injury that is anticipated to sideline him for the forthcoming match of the team.
During Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Nashville, Messi withdrew from the game merely minutes into the second half, citing discomfort in his right hamstring region, as conveyed by coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino. The decision to remove the 36-year-old from play was made as a precautionary measure.
Martino explicated, “He is experiencing strain in the right posterior,” emphasizing the team’s aversion to taking unnecessary risks. Despite attempts to gauge Messi’s capability to continue, the discomfort persisted, prompting his early exit from the match.
Messi’s noteworthy performance, marked by a goal and an assist, ceased abruptly in the 50th minute.
With this triumph, Inter Miami secures advancement to the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals, boasting a 5-3 lead in aggregate goals for the total-goals series.
In light of Messi’s injury, Martino indicated the likelihood of resting him for Inter Miami’s forthcoming MLS encounter against D.C. United on Saturday, as a further precautionary measure.
Prior to this injury, Messi had been a consistent presence on the field, participating in every minute of the season until his absence in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat against Montreal.
The injury occurred during the latter stages of the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 clash against Nashville last Thursday when Messi sustained contact with Nashville defender Lukas MacNaughton’s calf. Although attended to by a trainer, Messi opted to remain in the game despite evident discomfort.
Entering Sunday’s match against Montreal, Messi had already been listed as questionable due to a shin injury.
Martino disclosed plans for Messi to undergo further medical examinations, with subsequent decisions contingent upon the evaluation results.
Inter Miami is amidst a demanding March schedule, encompassing seven matches, four of which occur within a condensed 10-day timeframe. Despite this, Messi is expected to join the Argentinian national team for a duo of Copa America warm-up fixtures scheduled for March 22 and 26.