While Argentina won the Copa America title for the second time in a row by defeating Colombia 1-0 in extra time, they had to rally to do this without their talisman Lionel Messi who was forced off the field with an ankle that swelled to almost comical proportions. Now that he has returned to Inter Miami, that has been confirmed Messi will miss at least the next two home games with an ankle injury he suffered during the final.
Messi was in tears on the sidelines as he left the match Lautaro Martinez celebrated the winning goal by hugging his captain, but the match is an image we’ve seen far too often lately. It is the second injury Messi has suffered during the Copa America, in addition to a hamstring injury that forced him to miss Argentina’s final group match against Argentina. Peru. Returning for the knockouts against EcuadorMessi was still not 100% before suffering another injury.
It seems likely, although he has not said anything publicly, that Messi would like to play for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup in the United States and that he has been excellent for Inter Miami when available, with twelve goals and nine assists in the League. The question is not whether Messi can still do it when he is on the pitch, but more importantly, how long will he be there?
Messi recently turned 37 and will be 39 at the 2026 World Cup, and these ongoing leg injuries are piling up quickly. This season alone, Messi has missed five games due to various injuries and one due to rest. In just half a season for Miami in 2023, Messi also missed six matches, including the US Open Cup final, due to leg injuries. He had a problem that surfaced during international duty with Argentina and never fully healed before the end of the season.
Combine that with all the miles on his legs and a shortened break before he even goes to Miami due to his departure Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and we could only see the tip of the iceberg of Messi’s injury problems, as opposed to something that rest will solve. Messi is very aware of what his body can and cannot do at this stage of his career. He immediately gestured to the bench during the Copa America final when he could no longer continue.
“Leo (Messi) was born to play on a football field,” Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said after the Copa America final. “He never wants to leave because he doesn’t want to let his teammates down.”
It is clear that Messi wants to give everything for Argentina and Inter Miami, but he may have to make a choice if these injuries continue to pile up. Does he move into a super sub role for Miami to preserve themselves for the 2026 World Cup or possibly follow in Angel Di Maria’s footsteps and retire from his illustrious international career? While it’s not clear what Messi will do, continuing on this path of balancing major Major League Soccer travel demands and international duties could take the decision out of his hands.