Lionel Messi picked up an injury and was substituted in the 11th minute during Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup penalty shootout win over Mexico’s Necaxa on Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
The 38 years old Argentine star appeared to receive treatment for discomfort in his upper right leg or groin before walking off the pitch unaided and heading to the locker room.
Following Miami’s 5-4 victory on penalties after a 2-2 draw, head coach Javier Mascherano said further assessment would be done on Sunday to determine the nature and severity of the injury.
“Well, he felt a discomfort, and we will not be able to know until tomorrow how severe the injury is,” Mascherano said after the match.
“There’s probably something there. Maybe not as important, because he was really not in pain. But he did feel a pull.”
Messi took the ball and dribbled into the Necaxa back line, but he stumbled at the top of the box and ran into Necaxa defender Alexis Pena then tumbled to the ground, pounding the pitch in frustration as the ball was cleared away.
Moments later, Herons captain Messi was alone near midfield on the left wing by himself when he went to the ground in a seated position, lying on his back briefly until trainers arrived.
