Lionel Messi, 37, will be sidelined for Inter Miami’s upcoming Major League Soccer matches after injuring his right ankle during Argentina’s Copa América final victory. The news was confirmed by Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino, 61, on Tuesday.
Messi sustained the injury in the 64th minute of Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia. He was seen hobbling off the field with a visibly swollen ankle. As a result, the Argentine star will miss Inter Miami’s home matches against Toronto FC on Wednesday and the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
“There will be further testing to determine the severity of the situation,” Martino said. “He has to have more tests and wait for the results.”
In an Instagram post, Messi expressed gratitude for the concern and support he received following the match. “I want to thank everyone for the messages and greetings. I’m fine, thank God, and I hope I can soon be on the field again enjoying what I like to do most,” Messi wrote.
Inter Miami, with a record of 14 wins and five draws from 23 matches, currently ranks second in MLS and the Eastern Conference, amassing 47 points. They are just one point behind Cincinnati, who handed Miami a 6-1 defeat on July 6.
Next week, Inter Miami is set to begin defending their Leagues Cup title against rivals from MLS and the Mexican league. The absence of Messi, a key player for the team, will be a significant challenge as they aim to maintain their strong performance in the league and make a successful start in the Leagues Cup.
As fans await further updates on Messi’s condition, the team’s resilience and depth will be put to the test in the coming matches.
