Messi ends 2023 with muscular issue after World Cup qualifier

Lionel Messi finished his final match of the calendar year with a groin injury that forced him to be substituted during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday.

The Argentina captain was replaced in the 78th minute of Tuesday’s match, which was marred by clashes between fans and police, and Messi later complained of a groin injury.

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“I felt discomfort in my adductor,” Messi said. “It was my last match of the year so I have time to recover to start 2024 giving everything.”

The Inter Miami striker received treatment on the touchline in the first half and did not appear to be fit.

Messi said the 27-minute delay before the start of the match caused by the violent clashes contributed to his injury.

“It didn’t help me calm down and go into the locker room and come back,” he said.

Messi, 36, played the full 90 minutes of Argentina’s 2-0 win over Peru on Thursday, his first competitive match since October 21, when he started in Argentina’s 1-0 defeat Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer.

The former Barcelona star has suffered from injuries throughout this season.

Messi, who joined Inter Miami this summer after two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, missed five MLS games with a hamstring injury before returning to action on October 7.

Although he didn’t make his usual impact on the pitch, Messi was delighted as his side handed Brazil their first ever home defeat in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

“This group continues to achieve historic things,” said the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. “It’s a good thing to win in Brazil knowing how historically strong they are at home.”

Messi has plenty of time to recover from his injury as he will only return to pre-season training with Inter Miami in the second week of January.

Inter Miami on Tuesday denied hosting a pre-season match against Al Nassr, the club of Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.