 "Lionel Messi receives treatment on the field after getting injured. Reuters")
Inter Miami fans held their breath on Saturday, August 2, as Lionel Messi suffered a hamstring injury during his side’s dramatic Leagues Cup win over Club Necaxa. The World Cup-winning Argentine limped off the field just minutes into the game, raising questions about his availability for the next match.
What happened to Messi?
Messi got injured in the 8th minute after a challenge from two Necaxa defenders near the penalty area. He slowly walked back toward the bench before sitting down on the pitch. Team trainers rushed in and began working on his right upper thigh, suggesting a hamstring issue. He was eventually substituted out.
After the game, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano gave a short update. He said Messi did not feel intense pain but mentioned feeling a pull in his hamstring. A proper examination is scheduled for Sunday, August 3, to check how bad the injury is. “There’s probably something there,” Mascherano was quoted as saying.
Will Messi play against Pumas UNAM?
Inter Miami’s next Leagues Cup group stage match is set for August 7 against Pumas UNAM. Whether Messi will play or not will depend on the results of his medical test.
Inter Miami win on penalties
Inter Miami played down a man for much of regulation after Maxi Falcon was ejected with a red card in the opening minutes. Necaxa defender Cristian Calderón was sent off in the 60th after being shown a second yellow card, so both clubs played with 10 men the rest of the way.
Telasco Segovia put his side ahead 1-0 minute after Messi exited on a feed from Inter Miami newcomer Rodrigo De Paul, who had two assists in just his second match with the club. It was Segovia’s second goal of the tournament.
Tomas Badaloni tied it at 1 on a shot that he tapped past Rocco Rios Novo to the bottom left corner in the 33rd.
Ricardo Monreal put the Mexican club ahead in the 81st before veteran left back Jordi Alba snapped a header into the back of the net on De Paul’s free kick.
Inter Miami won its first two Leagues Cup matches but can only advance if it has enough points in the tournament’s Major League Soccer standings. Saturday’s victory gave Inter Miami five points, and the Herons sit atop the MLS table, though there are several more matches that will be played the rest of the weekend.
(With agency inputs)