Frustrated Lionel Messi forced off with injury in Inter Miami vs Necaxa

Lionel Messi’s night was over almost as soon as it began, and it wasn’t pretty. The Argentine maestro cut a disheartened figure as he walked off the pitch in frustration during Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup showdown against Necaxa at Chase Stadium on Sunday, August 3. And while Miami went on to clinch a nail-biter on penalties, the mood was anything but celebratory for fans watching their star hobble off.

The drama unfolded in the eighth minute when Messi went down near the touchline. He appeared to be brought down while trying to push forward into the Necaxa box, and although he tried to shake it off after receiving treatment, the discomfort lingered. Eventually, he had to be subbed off for Federico Redondo—marking a rare and frustrating exit for Miami’s talisman.

And if that wasn’t enough drama, the 38-year-old, clearly annoyed, slammed his fist into the turf before walking away. Not the kind of exit you'd expect from a man who's been dancing through defences all season.