Inter Miami’s exhibition match in Puerto Rico delayed due to Lionel Messi’s injury.
Inter Miami CF’s exhibition match against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico has been delayed by two weeks following a muscle strain in Lionel Messi’s left hamstring, which he incurred during the recent preseason match against Barcelona SC on Saturday.
Messi started the game against Barcelona SC for Inter Miami on February 7, but exited the field in the 58th minute and observed the remainder of the match from the sidelines.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Miami noted: “The Club, in partnership with the event promoter and the government of Puerto Rico, believes that rescheduling the match will provide the best experience for fans in Puerto Rico. The match will still take place at 7 p.m. ET (8 p.m. Local) at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and the opponent will continue to be Independiente del Valle.”
Earlier that day, the club announced: “Messi did not take part in training on Wednesday, February 11, due to a muscle strain in his left hamstring sustained during the match against Barcelona SC in Ecuador, which has continued since then.”
“The player underwent further medical evaluations that confirmed the diagnosis. His gradual return to training will be contingent on his clinical and functional recovery in the upcoming days.”
Messi also shared a message on social media on Wednesday regarding the match’s postponement.
“Hello everyone, I wanted to send this message to the people of Puerto Rico and all those attending the training session and game,” Messi stated in a video. “To be honest, during the last match in Ecuador, I ended up with a muscle strain, which is why I left the field early. Therefore, in conjunction with the organization and Inter Miami, it was decided to postpone this game. We hope it can be rescheduled, and we can meet soon. Sending a hug to all of you and thank you for all the support you always provide. I hope we can make it happen in the future, all the best.”
Inter Miami will now face Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on February 26, instead of the initially scheduled date of February 13.
The friendly match will occur after the commencement of the 2026 MLS season, as Inter Miami prepares to play against LAFC to start the campaign.
In 2024, Messi was sidelined from a preseason friendly in Hong Kong due to an injury. Following a negative reaction from local fans regarding Messi’s absence, the event organizer offered a partial refund to attendees.
Miami stated at that time: “We acknowledge that the late decision caused disappointment among our supporters in Hong Kong and the event promoter, Tatler Asia. We feel it is important to emphasize that injuries are unfortunately a part of the beautiful game, and our player’s health must always take precedence.”
