As the international break comes to a close, Inter Miami are preparing for their Matchday 6 clash of the 2025 MLS season against Philadelphia Union. With less than a week to go until the showdown, concerns were raised among fans after star player Lionel Messi’s performance in the team’s recent training session.
Messi missed the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with Argentina due to a minor injury sustained during the match against Atlanta United. The injury was later identified as a strain in his left adductor, allowing the star to rest in Miami. However, concerns resurfaced on Monday.
Inter Miami held an open training session at Chase Stadium, where fans and media were invited to observe the team’s routine. Attention was focused on Messi, who initially participated in the first part of the session with the team but then completed the rest of the training separately.
At the conclusion of the session, a staff member applied ice to Messi’s left adductor area, prompting further concern about the lingering effects of his previous injury.
Neither Messi nor head coach Javier Mascherano commented on the star’s fitness, but Inter Miami’s manager may be questioned about the situation in the coming days. Messi’s availability for Saturday’s game against Philadelphia remains uncertain, with this latest issue adding to a growing pattern of injury concerns in recent weeks.
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Messi’s lingering injury issues in 2025
Lionel Messi has struggled with fitness issues to start the 2025 season. While he featured in every preseason match and played the first three games of the regular season—CONCACAF Champions Cup vs. Sporting Kansas City and the MLS opener vs. New York City FC—injuries have quickly become a major concern.
Messi missed three consecutive games due to muscular fatigue, a result of the tight early-season schedule. He returned in the second leg against Cavalier SC and played the full match against Atlanta United.
Now, another muscular injury has sidelined Messi, this time for the national team. Inter Miami is set to face Los Angeles FC in the first leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals on Thursday, increasing the likelihood that Messi could miss the weekend game in order to regain full fitness for the critical matchup.
