Lionel Messi injury: Potential return date confirmed ahead of MLS 2026
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The Herons’ star Lionel Messi picked up a hamstring injury in a pre-season game.
In the coming days, Inter Miami’s preparations for the MLS season will continue as Javier Mascherano’s team looks to defend their first MLS Cup.
However, those plans were severely hampered in the middle of the week when the Herons revealed that their iconic talisman had suffered an injury in Saturday’s friendly. It potentially jeopardises his availability for future matches.
During the friendly in Ecuador, there was never a clear indication that Lionel Messi was hurt. But according to a statement Miami issued on Wednesday, the 38-year-old sustained a “muscle strain in his left hamstring.”
Lionel Messi missed four outings for the Herons between the Leagues Cup and MLS last summer due to a similar hamstring ailment.
Inter Miami further said, “His gradual return to training will depend on his clinical and functional progress in the coming days,” without providing a specific timeframe for Lionel Messi’s return to the field.
Lionel Messi is still in a battle against time to be fit before the season begins, even though outside reports indicate that his injury isn’t too serious.
When will Lionel Messi return from injury? Potential return date
It is yet unclear when Messi will be able to play again. He might play in Miami’s first away game of the new MLS season against LAFC on February 21 if he can recover from the new hamstring injury somewhat soon.
To complete their preseason tour, the Herons were supposed to play a friendly game in Puerto Rico on Friday, February 13. But because of Messi’s injury, the match was rescheduled for February 26.
It looks like Messi will be ready to play at the rescheduled date. He has already apologised to Puerto Rican supporters for the scheduling conflict. However, with just a few days separating Miami from their matchup with LAFC, the team’s priority will be to have Messi prepared before the MLS match.
Which injury did Messi suffer?
He has picked up a hamstring injury.
When will he return?
He could return in their first MLS game of the season or against Independiente del Valle.
When is Inter Miami’s first MLS game?
It’s on 22nd February against LAFC.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.