Lionel Messi ended his last match of the calendar year with a groin injury, leading to his substitution in Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Brazil on Tuesday.
The Argentina captain exited the game in the 78th minute, a match overshadowed by fan-police clashes. Following the game, Messi voiced concerns about a groin injury.
“I felt discomfort in my adductor,” Messi said. “It was my last game of the year so I have time to get well to start 2024 by giving everything.”
The Inter Miami forward underwent treatment on the sidelines during the first half and appeared to be lacking in fitness.
Messi attributed his injury to the 27-minute delay in the start of the game, which resulted from the violent clashes.
“It didn’t help me to cool down and go inside the locker room and then come back,” he said.
Messi, 36, played all 90 minutes of Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Peru on Thursday, his first competitive game since Oct. 21 when he started Inter Miami’s 1-0 defeat to Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer.
The former Barcelona star has struggled with injuries throughout this season.
Messi, who joined Inter Miami in the summer after two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, missed five MLS games with a hamstring injury before returning to action on Oct. 7.
Despite not making his usual impact on the pitch, Messi was delighted that his team handed Brazil their first-ever home loss in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
“This group continues to achieve historic things,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said. “It’s a nice thing to win in Brazil, knowing how historically strong they are at home.”
Messi has ample time for recuperation from his injury, with his return to Inter Miami’s preseason training scheduled for the second week of January.
On Tuesday, Inter Miami refuted claims of organising a preseason match against Al Nassr, the club associated with Messi’s longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo.