Lionel Messi has once again given Inter Miami supporters reasons to worry. The Argentine legend skipped the team’s training session on Tuesday, sparking doubts about his availability for the crucial Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Tigres on Wednesday night.
Messi recently returned from a hamstring injury that had kept him out for two games. He made a strong comeback last weekend against LA Galaxy, scoring a goal and later assisting Luis Suárez in Miami’s 3-1 win. But even after his impressive performance, Messi headed straight to the tunnel in visible discomfort, leaving many concerned about his fitness.
The injury dates back to August 2, when Messi walked off just 11 minutes into the match against Necaxa. Inter Miami managed without him for a couple of games, but his absence in training now raises fresh questions ahead of the Tigres clash.
Coach Javier Mascherano admitted after the LA Galaxy match that Messi wasn’t fully comfortable on the pitch. “The idea was to give him 45 minutes so he could start finding sensations. Clearly, he wasn’t 100% comfortable, but as the minutes went on, he loosened up more,” the coach explained.
For now, Messi’s participation against Tigres remains uncertain. The decision may come down to a last-minute medical call, leaving fans and teammates anxious ahead of Wednesday’s knockout tie.