With just 10 days left until the start of the MLS regular season, Inter Miami received some bad news: their star player Lionel Messi is out for a while. According to the club, the Argentine player strained his hamstring during a 2-2 friendly draw with Barcelona SC in Ecuador.
Messi has not participated in team training since that game - the muscle strain is still there. Therefore, the club's doctors are monitoring his condition daily and are carefully monitoring his recovery: his return to training will be gradual and will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Inter Miami will start the new season on February 21 with a match away against Los Angeles. The presence of such famous players as Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga in the team also adds to the intrigue.
The head coach of the Florida team, Javier Mascherano, is saying that there is no need to rush: it is more important for the 38-year-old Messi to stay healthy throughout the season than for one game. Especially considering that the 2026 World Cup is ahead, “going out now and making it even harder” is the worst-case scenario.
In Messi’s absence, the main role in the attack is expected to be given to new player Herman Bertram. Last season, Messi scored 48 points in the “goal + assist” system, which is one of the second best in league history - so his absence will be felt by any team.
This season, Inter Miami will compete for the main prize in three competitions at once. In addition, the club’s new home, the Miami Freedom Park arena, is scheduled to open in 2026. Against this background, the fact that Messi has extended his contract until the end of 2028 is also symbolic: he is the main star of the new stadium.
In short, Inter Miami should now be in a "reasonable patience" mode, not a "panic" one. Even if Messi misses 1-2 games at the beginning of the season, then if he returns healthy and carries the team throughout the year, it will be much more beneficial. MLS is a long marathon, there is no need to start the engine just to win the "first sprint".
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