Lionel Messi Injury Update: Latest Details, Recovery Timeline and Impact On Team

Inter Miami's hopes of having a perfect start to the season took a hammer blow as Lionel Messi picked up an injury. With the new season set to get underway soon, the extent of his injury might not only affect Inter Miami but also the Argentina National Football Team. Allow us to dive deep and provide the latest updates on the Lionel Messi injury.

Lionel Messi Injury Details

Lionel Messi started the 2026 campaign with a host of pre-season friendlies for Inter Miami. He played 63 minutes in the first game against Alianza Lima and 82 minutes against Atlético Nacional next. In the third game against Barcelona SC, he was the star turner as he scored and assisted in a 2-2 draw. Lionel Messi suffered a hamstring strain in the game and was substituted early.

Inter Miami confirmed in a press release that the fears of Lionel Messi's injury were true. “Messi did not participate in training this Wednesday, February 11, due to a muscle strain in his left hamstring sustained during the match against Barcelona SC in Ecuador, which has persisted since then,” read the statement from the club's communications department.

With the club set to open its MLS campaign on the road against Los Angeles, the injury to the eight-time Balon d'Or winner will be a dampener.

How Lionel Messi's Injury Affects Inter Miami and Argentina?

Messi's sudden injury disrupts Inter Miami's preseason plans. The Herons were supposed to play a pre-season friendly against Ecuadorian champions Independiente in Puerto Rico on February 13. Lionel Messi was supposed to take part in an open training session and the game, and interact with his fans. But in light of the latest Lionel Messi injury, the game was postponed to February 26, meaning it becomes a mid-season friendly as the season begins on February 21.

Argentina will also be sweating on the Lionel Messi injury update as they are set to face Spain in the Finalissima on March 27th. With the 2026 World Cup around the corner, the captain will be pivotal in their title defence.

Possible Replacements and Tactical Adjustments

Javier Mascherano will probably return to a 4-4-2 in the absence of Lionel Messi. The new signing, German Berterame, will be expected to pair up alongside Luis Suarez in a partnership for the MLS league season opener.

Alternatively, Robert Taylor can provide width if the manager decides to stick with a 4-3-3. David Ruiz and Daniel Pinter, along with Mateo Silvetti, will be buzzing to make an impact and fill the massive shoes of Messi.

If Messi does take a long time to come back, Argentina will have a massive worry. They have to depend on the versatile Giuliano Simeone or the young Franco Mastantuono to replace the irreplaceable.

When will Lionel Messi Return? Recovery Timeline

Hamstring strains typically take two to eight weeks for recovery. The exact timeline depends on the grade of the injury as well. Grade 1 (mild) takes 8-10 days, Grade 2 (moderate) takes 20-28 days, and the most severe Grade 3 (severe tear) takes about 1-3 months.

Although Inter Miami hasn't confirmed the grade of Messi's injury, they are hopeful of the star making a return to training eventually after further diagnosis and functional progress.

But Messi did give away the timeline on his Instagram stories. "In the last game in Ecuador, I finished with some discomfort and had to come off early. Because of that, together with the organizers and the club, we decided to suspend this match. I hope it can be rescheduled, so that we can see each other soon and visit you.”
Since the rescheduled game is exactly two weeks away, Messi might have suffered a Grade 1 strain that could see him return to training in 8-10 days. He will be touch-and-go for the Los Angeles FC game in the MLS.