Lionel Messi’s injury is a major concern for Inter Miami as they prepare for the new MLS season. The Argentine player is sidelined with a hamstring issue, raising questions about when he will return. Defending champions Inter Miami faced a setback when Messi got injured during a pre-season match against Barcelona SC in Ecuador.
The 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season starts this weekend, with Inter Miami set to play Los Angeles FC away from home.
Messi’s injury has sparked worry, particularly from coach Javier Mascherano, about his participation in the season opener. Inter Miami played a friendly in Ecuador on February 7, where Messi left the game early in the second half due to a left hamstring strain, a type of injury that requires careful handling as he gets older.
The Argentine star scored his first goal for 2026 in the 31st minute, but had to sit out the rest of the match as the game ended in a 2-2 draw. He missed training due to ongoing tightness and pain, leading to the cancellation of Miami’s final pre-season game in Puerto Rico.
Messi’s Injury Concerns as Miami Faces Early Test
Effective management of Messi’s injury will be essential for Miami’s long MLS season. At 38 years old, particularly in a World Cup year and with three competitions ahead, Mascherano will need to manage the team wisely to keep them competitive.
Messi could potentially return in early March, which may allow him to play in the third game. His situation is being assessed daily, meaning he might rejoin full training soon after the season opener or be held back for a while if Miami chooses to take precautions.
It is important to note that Messi has faced muscle issues before and typically recovers swiftly from strains, but at 38, each injury is handled with extra care. However, many have seen him bounce back quickly and score goals after such setbacks.
Joining Messi on the injury list is new recruit Sergio Reguilon, who sustained a grade 2 knee strain in the same pre-season match where Messi was injured in Lima, Ecuador. Reguilon was signed to fill the gap left by the retired Jordi Alba, leaving Inter Miami with another challenge in the midfield.