Inter Miami head coach on Messi injury: “He was fatigued”
A second-half substitution has sparked concern for Messi’s fitness ahead of the World Cup.
Inter Miami secured a thrilling 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union on Sunday night but a suspected injury to Lionel Messi was the biggest talking point after the game.
The 38-year-old Miami captain exited the game with 20 minutes remaining. Messi appeared to hold his hamstring, called over to the bench, and was substituted immediately after. He went straight down the tunnel after leaving the field, suggesting some level of concern.
Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos was pressed on the situation after the game. He said that the club’s medical team had not yet compiled a report on Messi’s fitness but he admitted that Messi appeared to be suffering from physical fatigue.
“I still don’t have information on this [injury]. Soon we will have it. Truthfully, he is fatigued,” Hoyos said.
The Miami head coach went on to say: “It was a very tough game, very difficult. Physically very tough too. On a heavy pitch, with lots of rain.”
Messi came into a game on a run of ten straight 90-minute matches, dating back to mid-March. The Argentine has contributed nine goals and seven assists in those ten games.
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