Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi left the field in the 11th minute of their Leagues Cup group stage match against Club Necaxa on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Chase Stadium, due to an apparent thigh injury. Despite the early setback, Inter Miami secured a 1-0 victory, with Telasco Segovia scoring the decisive goal, but concerns now center on the condition of their star captain.
The incident occurred during a high-stakes Leagues Cup Phase One match, with Inter Miami aiming to build on their recent 2-1 win over Atlas FC. Messi, a key figure in the team’s attack with 18 goals and 7 assists in the 2025 MLS season, started alongside Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and new signing Rodrigo De Paul. The sold-out crowd at Chase Stadium anticipated another standout performance from the Argentine legend.
In the 8th minute, Messi drove toward Necaxa’s penalty area, attempting to navigate past defenders Raúl Sánchez and Alexis Peña. Following contact with the defenders, he stumbled and fell, clutching his upper right leg in visible pain. After briefly trying to continue, Messi sat on the pitch as medical staff rushed to assess him. The evaluation lasted three minutes, focusing on his thigh, before the decision was made to substitute him with midfielder Federico Redondo in the 11th minute. Messi, clearly frustrated, walked to the locker room for further examination.
Inter Miami quickly regrouped, and in the 13th minute, Telasco Segovia scored the match’s only goal, assisted by Rodrigo De Paul, who delivered a precise pass into the box. The 1-0 lead held as Inter Miami’s defense, anchored by Busquets and Alba, repelled Necaxa’s attempts to equalize. Necaxa, coming off a 3-1 victory against Atlanta United, showed resilience but lacked the cutting edge to breach Inter Miami’s backline.
Head coach Javier Mascherano, who had praised Messi’s fitness prior to the match, now faces uncertainty as the team awaits an update on the injury’s severity. Messi’s demanding 2025 schedule, including MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup, Club World Cup, and Leagues Cup matches, may add pressure to his recovery timeline. With only the top four MLS teams advancing to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, his potential absence could challenge Inter Miami’s ambitions.
No official statement has been released regarding Messi’s condition, but the team’s medical staff is expected to provide clarity soon. Inter Miami’s next Leagues Cup match is against Pumas UNAM on August 6, 2025, at Chase Stadium, where they will aim to maintain their momentum.