Inter Miami faced a significant setback during their Leagues Cup game against Necaxa on Saturday when star player Lionel Messi was forced to leave the field. Just 11 minutes into the match, the Argentine appeared to sustain a hamstring injury and was substituted by Federico Redondo. Given Messi`s impressive performance this season – leading the league with 18 goals and 7 assists – his potential absence poses a serious challenge for the Herons, especially as he is a strong contender for the league MVP award.
The game ultimately concluded in a 2-2 draw, with Jordi Alba securing a late equalizer for Inter Miami, leading to a penalty shootout where the Herons emerged victorious. Despite Messi`s early departure, Telasco Segovia managed to score, putting Miami ahead. Segovia later reported that Messi assured him he was “fine,” though the team awaits the official medical assessment regarding the injury`s severity.
Should Messi be sidelined, it will undoubtedly test manager Javier Mascherano`s tactical prowess. Mascherano confirmed that Messi “felt something” during the match and stated that the full extent of the injury would not be known until Sunday. While Inter Miami bolstered their roster this summer by acquiring Rodrigo De Paul from Atletico Madrid, De Paul`s primary contribution is expected to be in defensive reinforcement rather than offensive creation.
Inter Miami has heavily relied on their Argentine number 10, whose contributions were instrumental in propelling them to the Club World Cup`s last 16, including a victory over Porto. Although players like Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende are capable of supporting Luis Suarez in attack, Mascherano faces the challenge of devising an optimal strategy if his star player is unavailable for an extended period.
It`s worth noting that Messi has been carefully managed for rest during his tenure at Inter Miami to prevent overexertion. For instance, he sat out the 0-0 draw against FC Cincinnati before the Leagues Cup, serving a suspension for not participating in the MLS All-Star Game, indicating a proactive approach to his fitness.
Inter Miami`s next fixture is their crucial final Leagues Cup group stage match, where they will host Pumas at Chase Stadium on August 6th. Given that only the top four MLS teams progress to the knockout rounds, this match is effectively a must-win, demanding that other players rise to the occasion if Messi remains sidelined.
