Inter Miami announced Tuesday that Lionel Messi will be out indefinitely due to a ligament injury in his right ankle.
The Argentina captain was subbed off in the 66th minute of the team’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa AmĂ©rica final.
Prior to Inter Miami’s announcement, coach Gerardo Martino said he expected the 37-year-old to be out for a minimum of two matches.
“He twisted his ankle, and the injury is present, so tests are needed and wait for results,” he told reporters. “I’ve had the opportunity to see other images. There will be tests done to determine the severity of the situation. We are always informed through our kinesiologist Walter Insaurralde, who is also the kinesiologist of the national team. He is very cautious at giving a final diagnosis before results are in.”
Miami was probably already planning to give Messi a bit of a break following Copa AmĂ©rica. Even without the injury, it was difficult to picture him going from Sunday’s final and suiting up Wednesday against Toronto FC, and even Saturday’s fixture with Chicago Fire FC might’ve been pushing it.
Inter Miami is second in the Eastern Conference on 47 points, five ahead of the next closest side, as well, so the club is in a good position to weather his absence if he misses a week or two.
The indefinite nature of Messi’s is a little concerning, though. He has been excellent this season, scoring 12 goals and supplying the second-most assists in MLS with 13.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner might’ve exceeded expectations when he first arrived in 2023 and he hasn’t missed a beat since then.
Especially with Luis Suárez (12 goals in 16 matches) perhaps a bit fatigued coming out of Copa América, somebody will need to step up and help lead the Inter Miami attack.