Lionel Messi will not play in Inter Miami’s next two matches after suffering an ankle injury in the Copa América final, head coach Tata Martino said Tuesday.
The 37-year-old Messi left the match after going down in the 64th minute during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. After further evaluation, the team released a statement on Tuesday evening saying that Messi suffered “a ligament injury” in the ankle.
After a medical evaluation, it has been determined that Leo Messi has suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle. The captain’s availability will be determined by periodic assessments and the progress of his recovery.
Fox’s cameras caught Messi’s noticeably swollen ankle as he watched the rest of the match from the bench late in the second half.
Inter Miami is set to play Toronto FC on Wednesday and the Chicago Fire on Saturday at home before the MLS All-Star break. The team will then begin its Leagues Cup title defense against Mexican side Puebla on July 27.
It remains to be seen what involvement, if any, Messi will have in next week’s MLS All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio. He was one of 30 players named to the team that will go up against a best-of LIGA MX team.
