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Inter Miami CF v Necaxa - Leagues Cup Phase OneGetty Images Sport
Alejandro Orellana

'He felt something' - Inter Miami’s Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi felt hamstring discomfort before early exit, with tests still to come

Mascherano and Segovia said Messi wasn't in pain after coming off, but the team won't know the extent of the injury until further tests

  • Messi left game after just 11 minutes
  • Miami pull off dramatic win
  • Mascherano said team will have more information Sunday
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  • Inter Miami CF v Necaxa - Leagues Cup Phase OneGetty Images Sport

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Inter Miami edged Necaxa in a dramatic Leagues Cup penalty shootout win to keep their knockout stage hopes alive - but all eyes were on Lionel Messi, who exited after just 11 minutes with an apparent injury. Manager Javier Mascherano confirmed the issue was related to Messi’s hamstring.

    “We won’t know anything until tomorrow. Maybe it’s not something serious because he wasn’t in pain, but he felt something,” Mascherano said in a postmatch press conference.

    Despite the victory - a 5-4 penalty shootout win following a 2-2 draw, capped by a late Jordi Alba equalizer - Mascherano expressed frustration with how the match unraveled.

    “The feeling after the game is totally bitter. It was a match we had under control,” he said. “We were playing the first 15 minutes just as we had planned, we took the lead despite Leo’s injury, and then from a foul that wasn’t a foul, they end up screwing you in a game that could also screw your qualification - and you’re left looking like an idiot. That’s the reality.”

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Concerns are heightened at Inter Miami after the Argentine superstar had to leave the field accompanied by medical staff during Matchday 2 of the Leagues Cup.

    Only 10 minutes into the game, the Argentine forward carried the ball up to the edge of the Necaxa box, but under defensive pressure from the visitors, he collided with Alexis Peña and subsequently fell to the pitch, where he immediately asked for medical assistance.

    After being examined on the field, it was determined that he had to come off - being replaced by Federico Redondo and heading straight to the locker room - setting off alarm bells at the club.

  • New York Red Bulls v Inter Miami CFGetty Images Sport

    WHAT TELASCO SEGOVIA SAID

    Telasco Segovia, who scored the opening goal of the match, revealed he spoke with Messi about the injury he suffered against Necaxa.

    "He told me he was fine but hasn’t had any tests done," he said. 

  • WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

    The Herons face Pumas on Wednesday. The match will take place at Chase Stadium.