Lionel Messi exits Leagues Cup match with apparent leg injury
The 38-year-old Messi's exit brings to a halt an exceptional run of clean health, the longest since he joined Miami in July 2023.
He had played in every minute of 16 consecutive matches for Miami between MLS regular season and FIFA Club World Cup play before his failure to appear in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game resulted in a one-match suspension against FC Cincinnati a week ago.
He returned Wednesday night for Miami's Leagues Cup opener against Atlas, in which he provided two assists – one leading to the game-winner late – in a 2-1 victory.
Almost immediately following Messi's exit Saturday, Telasco Segovia's goal put Miami in front. But the Herons were soon reduced to 10 men when Marcelo Weigandt was sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, then conceded a 33rd-minute equalizer by Tomas Badaloni.
Messi, am eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, has not scored in the Leagues Cup, but in MLS play, he is tied for the league lead with 18 goals.
Messi's run of consecutive appearances was in stark contrast to his first two MLS seasons, on which he missed significant portions of regula-season play.
After playing all seven matches of Miami's run to the 2023 Leagues Cup title, minor ailments limited Messi to just six appearances among Miami's last 12 regular-season games that year.
He also dealt with multiple issues in 2024, the most pronounced being an extended recovery from a torn leg muscle sustained while playing for Argentina during the 2024 Copa America final that July.
He played in only 19 games in his first full MLS season but still scored 20 goals and had 16 assists while winning the league's 2024 MVP award.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
11 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Thrilling Women's Copa America final can't hide challenges ahead
The Women's Copa America in Ecuador ended with a thrilling final as Brazil edged Colombia in an eight-goal spectacle to win their ninth title but logistical challenges and half-empty stadiums showed the hurdles that face South American women's football. Colombia pushed Brazil to the brink in a decider capped by a Marta masterclass as her side won 5-4 in a shootout after a roller-coaster final in Quito had finished 4-4, delivering a level of play organisers hoped to see when the tournament began. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez said ahead of the opener: 'We are confident that the Copa America in Ecuador will confirm the growth and expansion that South American women's football is currently experiencing.' However, the event faced criticism over facilities from the start when Brazil complained after teams were forced to warm up in cramped indoor spaces, while Chile forward Yanara Aedo called the lack of VAR in the early rounds 'disrespectful'. High interest, low turnout Widely praised as the best final in the tournament's history, the match drew the highest attendance of the 2025 edition, with the Ecuadorian Football Federation pleased that 23,798 fans turned out at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado. Still, that number fell short of filling the 41,575-seat venue, with ESPN reporting that the tournament's average attendance stood at 962 per match before the final. Media reports also said locals and international visitors were unaware the Women's Copa America was even taking place. Following Colombia's penalty shootout win over Argentina in the semi-final at the same venue, responses gathered by CNN pointed not to a lack of interest or ticket accessibility - with prices starting at $5 - but a broader failure in promotion. Tickets only went on sale on July 4, eight days before the opening match, underlining how late planning hurt visibility. 'It's a shame that the tournament has been played here in Ecuador and we don't know about it and the stadiums are empty,' a local mother who attended the match with her son told CNN. Reuters has contacted CONMEBOL for comment. The gap between on-field quality and local engagement was also highlighted by the increase in international viewers. FOX Sports said on Tuesday that 302,000 tuned in to watch the final — up 273% from 2022 — making it their most-watched Women's Copa America broadcast. Overall viewership averaged 79,000, a 114% jump across the network's two channels. Looking ahead The first CONMEBOL Women's Nations League kicks off in October, serving as South America's path to the 2027 World Cup, but beyond qualification, the tournament offers a fresh chance to address the off-field issues at the Women's Copa America. With players already performing at a world-class level, CONMEBOL has the audience and the talent to showcase. The question is will South America's governing body invest in promotion, infrastructure and planning to match Europe's record-breaking Women's Euros, which had their highest-ever attendances this year, while its own stadiums were half empty.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
FIFA's Infantino offers support to female referee Garcia over death threats
FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed support for referee Katia Itzel Garcia and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) after the official revealed she was subjected to online abuse following a Leagues Cup match. Garcia, who has officiated in other men's competitions including Liga MX, the Gold Cup and the Olympic Games, reported receiving death threats after refereeing the Leagues Cup clash between FC Cincinnati and Monterrey on Thursday. Her decision to award a goal to the MLS side that appeared to be offside fuelled outrage among Monterrey fans after Cincinnati went on to win 3-2. 'I am dismayed and saddened by the threats against referee Katia Itzel following her performance in the Leagues Cup first round matches between Monterrey and Cincinnati,' Infantino wrote on his Instagram account on Monday. 'There is no place in football and society for abuse, discrimination and violence of any kind. Wirtz's creativity can make up for Alexander-Arnold loss, says Liverpool boss Slot 'At FIFA, we stand in solidarity with the FMF and CONCACAF in condemning the actions of those who make these unacceptable threats. We offer our unconditional support in holding those responsible to account.' The FMF said in a statement on Saturday that it 'will advise and accompany Garcia in the complaint process before the corresponding authorities'.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
Tottenham's Son bids emotional farewell in South Korea, Maddison suffers knee injury
SEOUL: Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min played what is expected to be his final match for the club in front of 64,773 fans at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday, and teammate James Maddison was carried off with a knee injury. The 33-year-old Son, who is under contract until 2026, is set to leave Spurs after a decade. He led Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years with their win over Manchester United in the Europa League final in May. Sunday's friendly against Newcastle United ended 1-1, with Spurs forward Brennan Johnson scoring in the fourth minute and Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes equalising in the 38th. Son was substituted off in the 65th minute for new signing Mohammed Kudus. Son received a guard of honour from both Spurs and Newcastle players, along with a warm ovation from the crowd, as he bade a teary farewell. He is expected to stay in South Korea while the rest of the Spurs players fly to London. 'At first, I really didn't think I was going to cry. But obviously, it is not easy leaving a team I've spent so much time with,' Son said. 'And hearing from all these players made me really emotional. I've had an unforgettable day thanks to all the fans, my teammates and my opponents. I feel so happy that I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight. Lionel Messi exits Leagues Cup match with apparent leg injury 'My career is not over yet, and I want to continue to bring (the fans) joy. I know I have more things I want to accomplish as a football player.' Son joined the north London club from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and though he did not disclose his next destination, British media have linked him with a move to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. 'Unbelievable scenes for Son from his teammates and the respect from the Newcastle players,' Spurs manager Thomas Frank said. 'First we had the walkaround and then the teammates gathered around and he was emotional. In the changing room it was more of the same… It was beautiful.' Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said, 'The reaction was instinctive from my players. It's not just his talent but the way he has carried himself over the years. I think he's seen as one of the game's great Premier League players.' Maddison came on in the 75th minute but went down off the ball, clutching his knee, and appeared to be in considerable discomfort. The 28-year-old England international was taken off on a stretcher around the 86th minute. 'We're pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before. I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal,' Frank said. Maddison suffered an injury to the same knee in May and missed the final part of last season. The club later announced the loan signing of midfielder Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich. The 30-year-old, who previously played in the Premier League for Fulham, joins until the end of next season with an option to make the move permanent.
