Mascherano shares optimistic damage replace on Lionel Messi following Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup win

Lionel Messi set off alarm bells at Inter Miami after struggling an damage that pressured the Argentine star to exit early of their Leagues Cup match in opposition to Necaxa. After securing a win within the penalty shootout, head coach Javier Mascherano provided a hopeful replace on Messi’s standing.

The Herons began robust at Chase Stadium, dominating possession early, with Messi among the many most energetic gamers on the pitch. Nevertheless, the ahead clutched his proper hamstring after contact with Raul Sanchez whereas driving the ball ahead.

Messi went down in seen discomfort within the eighth minute, and after a quick medical evaluation, was substituted within the eleventh minute for midfielder Federico Redondo. Cameras later captured Messi strolling to the locker room below his personal energy, flanked by workers however with out help.

Following the 2-point victory over Necaxa, Mascherano addressed Messi’s situation throughout his post-match press convention. “Leo felt some discomfort in his hamstring, and we received’t know the extent of the damage till tomorrow,” the coach stated, signaling that additional analysis remains to be pending.

Mascherano added a reassuring notice on the damage’s severity: “He’s positively coping with one thing, perhaps it’s not too severe as a result of he wasn’t in ache, however he did really feel some discomfort.”

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Video: Lionel Messi pressured off with muscle damage in Inter Miami vs. Necaxa Leagues Cup conflict

Inter Miami face essential stretch with out Messi

Regardless of Messi’s early exit and Maximiliano Falcon’s crimson card within the seventeenth minute, Inter Miami managed to tug off a 2-2 attract regulation due to a dramatic header by Jordi Alba within the 92nd minute. Luis Suarez sealed the win within the penalty shootout with the decisive strike to make it 5-4. The Herons presently sit atop the MLS Leagues Cup desk with 5 factors, although six groups are nonetheless awaiting their second match.

Inter Miami will goal to clinch a spot within the subsequent spherical on Wednesday after they host Pumas UNAM. After that, they’ll return to MLS motion on August 10 within the Florida Derby in opposition to Orlando Metropolis, adopted by a matchup in opposition to LA Galaxy on August 16. Whereas the severity of Messi’s damage remains to be unclear, until he makes a swift restoration, the star ahead is more likely to miss at the very least the subsequent few video games.