Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi sustained an injury during a preseason match against Barcelona SC in Quito, Ecuador, on Saturday. The team announced the development on Wednesday.
Messi is experiencing a muscle strain in his left hamstring, which has persisted into the week. He did not take part in Wednesday’s training session due to this injury.
The club stated, “The player underwent additional medical tests that confirmed the diagnosis. His gradual return to training will depend on his clinical and functional progress in the coming days.”
In the match, Inter Miami and Barcelona SC finished in a 2-2 draw. Messi scored a solo goal and assisted another before being substituted for Luis Suárez shortly after the 60-minute mark.
Messi’s goal came in the 31st minute when he maneuvered past two defenders and struck a left-footed shot into the net, marking his first goal of 2026.
He assisted Germán Berterame, the newest Inter Miami player, with a cross-field pass in the 45th minute, giving the team a 2-1 lead at halftime. However, Barcelona SC equalized in the 87th minute.
During their time in South America, Inter Miami managed one win in three matches. They lost 3-0 to Alianza Lima in Peru on January 24 and secured a 2-1 victory against Atlético Nacional from Colombia on January 31.
The team will begin its 2026 MLS regular season against LAFC on February 21 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The match is set to start at 9:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on Apple TV.