Lionel Messi was forced to exit Inter Miami CF’s Leagues Cup game against Necaxa within the first 11 minutes on Saturday night, sparking concern among supporters over his health. The 38-year-old forward began the match but collided with two Necaxa defenders near the penalty area in the seventh minute and appeared to be in pain as he got up.
Despite continuing briefly after the collision, Messi eventually received pitch-side treatment from Miami’s medical staff and was replaced by midfielder Federico Redondo. His early departure occurred in the 11th minute at Chase Stadium, leaving fans uncertain about his injury severity.
Match developments following Messi’s exit
Inter Miami quickly responded to Messi’s removal when Telasco Segovia scored the first goal just under two minutes later. The match took a turn when Miami was reduced to ten players following a straight red card shown to center back Maxi Falcón. Necaxa managed to equalize in the 33rd minute, leveling the game at 1-1.
At this time, no official update has been provided regarding Messi’s injury or prognosis.
Context around Messi’s playing time and fitness concerns
Messi’s fitness has been under close scrutiny throughout the season, as head coach Javier Mascherano has managed his minutes carefully. In 2025, Messi has played over 80 minutes in 24 matches. Miami co-owner Jorge Mas pointed to fatigue as the reason for Messi skipping the MLS All-Star Game, a decision that resulted in a one–match suspension for the player.
Outside of missing the All-Star Game and a subsequent match against FC Cincinnati, Messi has generally remained available this season. However, history shows injuries tend to follow heavy playing periods for him, such as his extended downtime after the 2024 Copa América.
Upcoming schedule and next challenges for Inter Miami
Inter Miami will play at least one more Leagues Cup match in 2025, facing Pumas UNAM on Wednesday. The club aims to finish among the top four MLS teams in Phase One to advance to the quarterfinals, with Messi’s availability expected to be key for their progression.