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July 16, 2024

Update on Lionel Messi’s injury following the viral photo of the Argentine star’s swollen ankle – Major League Soccer

Tata Martino, the head coach, informed the media on Tuesday that Lionel Messi will most likely miss the next two Inter Miami games. Messi has been an important player in recent games, so this could significantly affect the team’s performance.

Messi was hurt on his ankle during Sunday’s Copa América final, which Argentina Football won. Messi’s right ankle was noticeably swollen, and when he was eventually substituted off, the broadcast cameras captured him crying.

While the team is awaiting additional testing, Martino stated that while the club does not believe the injury is long-term, he “does not think there’s any chance” Messi will be available for Miami’s two games this week.

“I don’t want to speculate further, but he had a sprain,” Martino said. “He has to have more tests and wait for the results.”

Before the league schedule breaks for the Leagues Cup, a prestigious tournament between MLS and Liga MX, Miami hosts Toronto FC on Wednesday and the Chicago Fire on Saturday. 

This year, they’re grouped with Puebla and Tigres UANL. The Leagues Cup is a significant event in the MLS calendar and could affect Miami’s strategy for the upcoming games.

Last year, Miami triumphed in the inaugural Leagues Cup, with Messi making headlines in his debut. He scored a dramatic game-winning free kick against Cruz Azul in stoppage time, clinching the title for Miami. Messi’s sensational start elevated the tournament’s profile, and his impact was felt throughout the competition. His performance set a high standard, making the Leagues Cup a prestigious fixture in the soccer calendar.

Miami’s league season will resume on August 24 when they play FC Cincinnati. With 12 goals and 13 assists in 1,035 minutes, Messi has had an incredible MLS season in terms of production per ninety minutes, greatly aiding the team’s success.

Player	Goals + assists	Minutes
Chicho Arango	28	1,857
Lucho Acosta	28	1,989
Lionel Messi	25	1,035
Evander	23	1,650
Denis Bouanga	23	1,963

MLS counts both primary and secondary assists in its stats. Nine of his 13 assists are primary, meaning they directly led to goals. At the same time, the other four are secondary, recognizing his involvement in the build-up.

Still Lacking Personnel, Inter Miami

Two players for Miami will be absent because of the Olympics

Despite missing Messi, Luis Suarez, and Matias Rojas this summer, Inter Miami has proven resilient in the face of difficulty, achieving impressive outcomes. Miami proved it could function well even without important players when it won four of its five MLS games without the trio.

They will continue to be short-staffed this summer. The most significant absence is undoubtedly Messi. However, midfielders Diego Gomez (of Paraguay) and Benja Cremaschi (of the United States) will also miss action during the Olympics. Gomez recently fully recovered from a chronic ankle injury, and Brighton and West Ham could be interested in signing him.

Due to a combination of injury, national team commitments, and scheduled rest, Lionel Messi has been unavailable for 11 games this season. Inter Miami has achieved a commendable record despite his absence in those matches. The team has secured six wins and one draw and suffered three losses, accumulating an average of 1.73 points per game. This performance highlights Miami’s resilience and adaptability, showcasing their ability to remain competitive even without their star player.

Inter Miami is well-positioned for the future because players like Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets have remained, along with the return of Suarez and Rojas. The summer transfer window, opening on July 18, is a great opportunity for Miami to bolster its roster. CL Merlo reports that the team is reportedly close to signing Paraguay international David Martínez from River Plate.

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