Messi Injury Postpones Inter Miami Friendly

Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar and two-time Major League Soccer most valuable player, sustained a muscle strain in his left hamstring during a preseason match last weekend, leading to his absence from Inter Miami's training session on Wednesday and the postponement of the team's final preseason friendly.

The injury occurred in Inter Miami's 2-2 draw against Barcelona Sporting Club in Ecuador, where Messi scored before being substituted in the second half. Medical tests confirmed the diagnosis, and the club stated that his return to training will depend on his progress in the coming days. As a result, Friday's scheduled friendly against Independiente del Valle at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Puerto Rico has been moved to February 26. Inter Miami is set to begin its MLS regular season on February 21 against Los Angeles FC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a venue chosen to accommodate larger crowds for the high-profile matchup.

The timing of Messi's injury raises concerns for Inter Miami as it defends its 2025 MLS Cup title, the club's first in the competition. Last season, Messi led the team to victory, scoring 29 goals to claim the league's Golden Boot award and...