In a heart-stopping moment at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami CF’s talisman, Lionel Messi, was forced to exit their Leagues Cup clash against Liga MX’s Necaxa just minutes into the match on Saturday night. The 38-year-old Argentine icon, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, suffered a devastating collision that left fans and teammates in stunned silence.
The incident occurred in the seventh minute when Messi, in a trademark burst forward, collided with two Necaxa defenders at the edge of the penalty area. The impact was brutal, and though the Miami captain struggled to his feet, the discomfort was evident. Gritting his teeth, Messi attempted to soldier on, but his resilience gave way in the 11th minute. After receiving urgent treatment from Inter Miami’s medical staff, the soccer legend was substituted, with defensive midfielder Federico Redondo stepping in to replace him. The sight of Messi, visibly in pain, leaving the pitch sent shockwaves through the packed stadium.
Despite the early blow, Inter Miami rallied swiftly. Just two minutes after Messi’s departure, Telasco Segovia ignited the crowd with a stunning opening goal, offering a glimmer of hope. However, the drama was far from over. In a cruel twist, Miami was reduced to 10 men before halftime when center back Maxi Falcón was shown a straight red card. Necaxa capitalized on their numerical advantage, equalizing in the 33rd minute to leave the match delicately poised.
No immediate update on Messi’s condition was provided, leaving fans anxiously awaiting news on their star player. Messi’s durability has been a topic of intense discussion this season. Under head coach Javier Mascherano, the Argentine has played over 80 minutes in 24 matches in 2025, a grueling schedule for the veteran forward. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas recently sparked controversy by citing fatigue as the reason Messi skipped the MLS All-Star Game, a decision that led to a one-match suspension for the player.
While Messi has been largely durable this season—aside from missing the All-Star Game and a subsequent MLS match against FC Cincinnati—his history suggests vulnerability after heavy workloads. Last season, he endured an extended absence following the 2024 Copa América, raising concerns that this latest incident could signal another setback.
Inter Miami now faces a critical Leagues Cup match against Pumas UNAM on Wednesday, with their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals as one of the top four MLS teams hanging in the balance. The question on everyone’s mind: will Messi be fit to lead his team, or will this shocking moment mark a turning point in Miami’s campaign? The soccer world holds its breath.