“Hello everyone. I want to send a greeting to the people of Puerto Rico, both to those who were going to attend the training session and the game. The truth is that in the last game in Ecuador I ended up with discomfort, so I left before the end. That’s why, together with the organizers and the club, it was decided to suspend this game. I hope it can be rescheduled, that we can see each other and that we can visit you soon. I send everyone a huge thank you for your support and love. I know that the tickets are already available.They had sold and everything was going, so I hope we can make it happen later.A big hug to everyone and all the best.”
With that message, Lionel Messi confirmed his injury, so the friendly that Inter Miami was going to play against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico this Friday, February 13, was postponed.The event, which was going to include an open practice before the duel at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, had to change its date.Minutes after the 38-year-old captain’s message on his Instagram account, the Herons announced that the match was moved to February 26, at the same venue.
The injury is a small strain in the hamstring of his left leg, suffered in the 2-2 draw against Barcelona in Ecuador on February 7, in which he scored a great goal and gave an assist. In that match, he was substituted after a brief dialogue with Javier Mascherano.The alarms had sounded due to his absence in the training of the pink squad, which was to travel to the island this Thursday.Finally, the journey was suspended due to the withdrawal of the world champion from the Argentine team.
El desembarco del Inter Miami y de Messi en Puerto Rico como parte de la gira depretemporada había requerido una inversión por parte del giboerno local, queespera un impacto de alrededor de 19 millones de dólares en su economía.Consequently, so that the star could be present, it was postponed.
Given the tight schedule of the last champion of North America’s elite, the organization placed the friendly in the window between LasGarzas’ debut in the MLS (against Los Angeles Fútbol Club on 2/21 as a visitor) and the second date (excursion against Orlando City, on March 1).
The injury, although minor and in the context of his set-up, is a first alert in a special year for Messi and the Argentine team, because in June they will have to defend the title won in Qatar 2022 in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.Stopping in time and measuring physical wear and tear is the method that the man from Rosario applied to not push himself too hard and regret an ailment that requires more extensive rehabilitation.
For the new season, Inter Miami was reinforced with several important names to revalidate its success in 2025: the former Real Madrid Sergio Reguilón, the Canadian national team goalkeeper Dayne St Clair and the Argentine nationalized Mexican striker Germán Berterame, among others, arrived.
With Messi as the flag, the Florida franchise became the most valued in Major League Soccer, with 1.45 billion dollars.All this is generated by the former Barcelona and PSG.Therefore, even if you have to wait a few more days, Puerto Rico awaits you with open arms.
