Soccer fans around the world were shocked and worried on Saturday when Lionel Messi left the field after just 11 minutes of play during a Leagues Cup match between Inter Miami and Necaxa. The match took place at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and fans were excited to see the legendary Argentine superstar in action. But things didn’t go as planned.
Lionel Messi, who is 38 years old, appeared to hurt his leg early in the match. Right before coming off the field, he seemed to be getting treatment for what looked like pain in his upper right leg or groin area. After receiving attention from the trainers, Lionel Messi walked off the field on his own and went straight to the locker room.
Later, Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, explained what had happened. “He felt some discomfort,” Mascherano said. “We won’t know how bad the injury is until tomorrow. It might not be too serious because he wasn’t in a lot of pain, but he definitely felt something.”
That “something” was described as hamstring discomfort. The hamstring is a group of muscles at the back of your thigh that helps you run, kick, and move your legs quickly. In soccer, the hamstring is very important because players need to sprint, change direction fast, and kick the ball with power. A hamstring injury can be very annoying for players, especially someone like Lionel Messi who depends on speed and movement to control the game.
What Happened on the Field?
The injury occurred during a regular attacking play. Lionel Messi had the ball and was heading into the Necaxa defense. As he approached the top of the penalty box, he seemed to lose balance and collided with Necaxa defender Alexis Peña. After the small collision, Lionel Messi fell to the ground and hit the grass in frustration. It was clear something wasn’t right. Just a few minutes later, Lionel Messi was seen sitting on the field alone near the left wing. He then laid on his back while trainers came to check on him.
That’s when the decision was made: Lionel Messi would not continue. Coach Mascherano quickly sent in midfielder Federico Redondo to takeLionel Messi’s place. Fans in the stadium were stunned. Everyone had come to see the star, and now he was gone just minutes into the game.
Messi’s Recent Injury History
This is not the first time Messi has had issues with his leg. Back in March, during the Argentine World Cup qualifying matches, he was already dealing with a thigh strain—a different kind of muscle problem in the same general area. Even though Messi is one of the best soccer players in history, he is still human. As players get older, they often face more injuries because their bodies take longer to recover.
Lionel Messi’s Incredible Stats
Before this injury, Lionel Messi had been playing incredibly well for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS) season. In just 18 appearances, he had scored 18 goals and made 9 assists. That’s an average of one goal per game, which is amazing at any level of soccer. He also helped Inter Miami win their first game in this year’s Leagues Cup just a few days earlier, with a 2–1 victory over Atlas. Messi didn’t score in that match but assisted on both goals—once again proving how important he is to the team.
Soccer fans may remember that Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 and quickly made a huge impact. He led the club to victory in the inaugural Leagues Cup tournament, helping them win their first major trophy. His presence in the MLS brought more attention to soccer in the United States and made Inter Miami one of the most followed teams in the league.
What Is the Leagues Cup?
The Leagues Cup is a special tournament that includes teams from MLS and Liga MX, the top professional league in Mexico. It’s a way for the two leagues to compete and grow the popularity of soccer across North America. Teams play in a group stage and then go into knockout rounds, similar to the FIFA World Cup format.
Inter Miami is in a group with Necaxa, who they played on Saturday, and Pumas, another team from Mexico. Their next match is against Pumas on Wednesday, and it’s not clear yet if Messi will be ready to play.
What’s Next for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami?
The big question now is: How serious is the injury? Coach Mascherano said the team would do tests to find out more. If it’s just a minor strain, Messi could be back in a week or two. But if the hamstring is badly pulled or torn, he might be out for a month or longer. For now, fans will just have to wait and hope.
Inter Miami is doing well this season, and Lionel Messi has been a major part of their success. But without him, they’ll need other players to step up and perform. It won’t be easy, but soccer is a team sport, and every player has a role.
Fun Soccer Facts for Middle School Fans:
A hat trick is when a player scores three goals in a single game. Lionel Messi has done that more than 50 times in his career!
Messi has won the Ballon d’Or (the award for the best soccer player in the world) eight times.
He has scored over 800 career goals, making him one of the highest goal-scorers in soccer history.
Inter Miami was founded in 2018 and started playing in MLS in 2020. Since Messi arrived, their popularity has skyrocketed.
The average professional soccer player runs about 7 miles per game, and players like Lionel Messioften sprint for several of those miles.
Final Thoughts
Seeing Lionel Messi leave a game early is always disappointing, especially for young fans who admire his skills, passion, and leadership. But injuries are part of sports, and what matters most is recovery. Hopefully, Messi’s injury is not too serious, and he’ll be back on the field soon, dazzling us with his dribbles, passes, and incredible goals.
For now, Inter Miami will need to focus on the next game in the Leagues Cup and continue their great season—with or without their biggest star. Fans around the world will be watching closely and wishing Lionel Messi a speedy recovery.
