Lionel Messi will be out indefinitely after medical tests yesterday (July 16) confirmed he tore ligaments in his right ankle during the Copa America final on July 15.
“After a medical evaluation, we have determined that Leo Messi has suffered a torn ligament in his right ankle. The captain’s ability to play will be determined through periodic evaluations and his recovery progress,” Inter Miami announced.
Messi was injured in the second half of the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia (Photo: Getty).
Before the medical team carried out the above detailed diagnostic steps, Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino thought that Messi was likely to sit out at least the club’s next two matches. However, the actual situation was worse than the 61-year-old coach expected.
Inter Miami will host Toronto FC tomorrow (July 18) and Chicago Fire on July 21 before beginning their Leagues Cup title defense on July 27 in Puebla.
“He has a sprained ankle, and the injury is still unclear, so we need to test and wait for the results. I have had the opportunity to see other images, there will be tests done to determine the severity of the situation.
We were always informed through the kinesiologist Walter Insaurralde, who is also the kinesiologist of the national team. He was very cautious in making a final diagnosis before the results were available,” said coach Martino.
Messi cried while sitting on the bench after having to leave the field due to injury (Photo: X).
Messi had earlier left the pitch in tears during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final after going down without making contact with anyone in the 64th minute.
El Pulga immediately looked towards the Argentina bench and lay down for a few minutes before taking off his shoes and slowly walking off the field.
The Argentine star was then seen covering his face and sobbing in his chair. Cameras then showed Messi sitting on the bench with a badly swollen right ankle.
On July 16, Messi said in an Instagram post that he was fine and hoped to return soon. Inter Miami is currently second in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with 47 points, one point behind first-place Cincinnati after 23 rounds.
