Lionel Messi and Inter Miami hit with devastating blow as star defender Nicolas Freire suffers ACL tear

Miami announced Monday that the 30-year-old central defender is expected to miss the remainder of the MLS season due to the injury.

Freire was substituted off the pitch in the 66th minute Saturday evening in a 1-0 victory over D.C. United due to an injury. It's now been revealed he tore his ACL during the game.

Freire has been a standout performer for the Herons in 2024, being a leader on the backline across 10 matches this season. He has played 740 minutes in total, including nine starts from the centerback position.

Miami has been hit with injuries hard in 2024, and Freire adds to the growing list. Just three healthy central defenders in the first-team remain for Miami in Tomas Aviles, Serhiy Kryvtsov and Ryan Sailor.

Freire joined the Herons on loan for the 2024 season from Liga MX side Pumas. It's unknown if there is a purchase clause in the Argentine's contact.

Freire is expected to miss the remainder of the season. The Argentine joins five others on the sidelines, including two others with cruciate ligament injuries in Ian Fray and Facundo Farias.