The Leagues Cup was the triumphant stage of Lionel Messi's arrival in Major League Soccer, when he led Inter Miami to the club's first ever trophy after arriving in 2023.
Unfortunately, the 2025 edition has proven a little more painful.
Inter Miami thought they may have to push forward without Messi's influence after the Argentine legend went down early in the club's second group-stage match.
The Herons managed to handle Liga MX side Tigres in the quarterfinals without Messi's presence, and now a Florida derby looms in the semifinals.
MORE: A full breakdown of Lionel Messi's injury history across his entire career
Lionel Messi injury news, updates ahead of Leagues Cup semifinal
Lionel Messi's status for Wednesday's semifinal against Orlando City was unknown throughout the lead-up to the game, but after he trained with the team Monday and Tuesday, he seemed on track to play.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano rested Messi along with a number of Inter Miami starters for Saturday's MLS game against D.C. United, which resulted in a 1-1 draw. Messi was ruled out before the match, as Mascherano said he would rest due to the importance of Wednesday's knockout match.
According to Inter Miami defender Ian Fray, both Messi and Jordi Alba did participate in training on Monday, which was closed to media.
At that point, it was just a question of whether Messi would start the match in the XI or on the bench to come on as a substitute. With lineups released, Messi was included from the beginning against Orlando City, with Inter Miami putting out their best available lineup to face their in-state rivals in the Leagues Cup semifinal.
How was Lionel Messi injured?
In the 11th minute of Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Mexican club Nexaca in the Leagues Cup group stage match, Messi was withdrawn after suffering an apparent hamstring injury.
Messi ran into Nexaca defender Alexis Pena and fell to the ground. He received treatment from the trainers before exiting the pitch under his own power and being replaced by Federico Redondo.
"He felt discomfort, and we will not be able to know until tomorrow how severe the injury is," Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said after the match. "There's probably something there. Maybe not as important because he was really not in pain. But he did feel a pull."
🗣️🇦🇷 Mascherano explains Messi's injury after being subbed off very early in the Leagues Cup match#beINSPORTS #LeaguesCup #Messi pic.twitter.com/BIuQDJrs1Z
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 3, 2025
The club later confirmed that the injury was not serious, although they did not specify the precise nature of the problem.
"Messi underwent medical tests to evaluate the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced during last night's Leagues Cup match against Necaxa, which forced him to leave the field," they said.
"The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg. His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment."
Lionel Messi injury history as hamstring concerns plague star
This recent muscle injury is just the latest in a long line of such issues in Messi's career.
The 38-year-old has had multiple hamstring and adductor injuries as an Inter Miami player, missing the start of last season with a muscle problem.
He also had hamstring issues during his Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain careers, including significant time missed in 2013.