Lionel Messi to sit out two Inter Miami's games after Copa America injury

Messi is set to miss Inter Miami’s home matches against Toronto FC on Wednesday and Chicago Fire on Saturday

By AFP & Web Desk

July 17, 2024

Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) shoots against Vissel Kobe during the second half of a preseason friendly at Japan National Stadium. — USA TODAY Sports/file 

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi will sit out the team’s next games in Major League Soccer due to an injury sustained while playing for Argentina, the Miami team’s head coach, Gerardo Martino, has confirmed.

Messi is set to miss Inter Miami’s home matches against Toronto FC on Wednesday and the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

In a Copa America match against Colombia, which ended 1-0, Messi left the field in the 64th minute, and photos showed him with an extremely swollen ankle. ‘The testing will continue in order to understand the gravity of the situation,’ Martino said. 

Messi took time to appreciate the message of concern and support he received on Instagram after Sunday’s match. He said, ‘Thank you for the messages n greetings everyone I am fine thank God…I hope one day I can be back on the field enjoying what I love most’. 

Currently the team has won 14 matches and drawn five from 23 games, most of which makes Inter Miami stand as the second-best team in both the MLS and the eastern conference with 47 points, only one point behind Cincinnati, a team that defeated Miami 6-1 on 6th July this year. Next week Inter Miami will be starting their defence of the Leagues Cup against MLS and Mexican league teams.