Lionel Messi, the iconic Inter Miami forward, is currently sidelined due to a muscle overload in his right thigh, leading him to miss recent matches in the Leagues Cup and <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/soccer/mls/”>MLS. Despite being 38 years old, Messi remains in excellent physical condition as he recovers from this injury. According to Transfermarkt, throughout his extensive career, Messi has been unavailable for play for a total of 905 days due to injuries, with the most severe being a metatarsal fracture in 2006-2007 that sidelined him for 88 days and caused him to miss 19 games with Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is set to run through the 2025 season, but discussions are ongoing to extend his stay by another year. The goal is for Messi to participate actively in the 2026 World Cup, where he aims to defend the title Argentina won in Qatar 2022 and potentially secure his second FIFA World Cup trophy, further cementing his legendary status.
Comparing Injury Histories: Ronaldo’s Time Offline
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s long-time rival and Portuguese star, has spent significantly less time away from the pitch due to injury or illness. His total downtime amounts to 482 days, covering a range of issues including illnesses like coronavirus, rest periods, an ankle surgery, sprains, and muscle tears. The most serious injury Ronaldo faced was an ankle surgery in mid-2008, which kept him out for 71 days and caused him to miss eight matches between Manchester United and the Portugal national team.
In addition, Ronaldo suffered an internal band strain during the early minutes of the Euro 2016 final, which resulted in a 60-day rest period. Similarly, Messi had to withdraw from the Argentina squad in the final of the Copa America 2024 after sustaining a sprained right ankle. Despite these setbacks, both players’ teams triumphed in their respective tournaments without them on the field.
The Enduring Physical Challenge for Football’s Legends
Messi and Ronaldo, now in their late 30s and early 40s, continue to defy age-related expectations by maintaining remarkable physical conditions amid the constant risk of injury that plagues professional footballers. Their resilience highlights the immense dedication required to operate at the highest level across two decades of top-tier competition, with each having a different injury timeline that reflects individual challenges faced throughout their careers.
The current Lionel Messi injury recovery update exemplifies the ongoing battle athletes face to stay fit while performing on the world’s biggest stages. Both footballers remain key figures in their teams, with Messi looking ahead to the possibility of adding further achievements in the coming seasons. As negotiations for his contract extension continue, fans and analysts alike await how this recovery will influence his preparation for future competitions and his quest to further rewrite football history.