Lionel Messi is likely to miss at least Inter Miami CF's next two games after injuring his right ankle during the Copa America final, Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said Tuesday.
Martino said Messi will undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury, but he declined to speculate on whether it was a long-term injury. Inter Miami will host Toronto FC on Wednesday night and Chicago Fire on Saturday night.
“He twisted his ankle and the injury is present, so we have to do tests and wait for the results,” Martino said. “I have had the opportunity to see other images. Tests will be done to determine the severity of the situation. We always get information from our physiotherapist Walter Insaurralde, who is also the physiotherapist for the national team. He is very cautious when it comes to giving a final diagnosis before having the results.”
Messi, 37, left Argentina's 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final in tears on Sunday after going down in the 64th minute. He immediately looked towards Argentina's bench and was on the ground for a couple of minutes before removing his right boot and slowly walking off the pitch.
He was later shown covering his face and sobbing in his seat. Cameras later showed him on the bench with his right ankle badly swollen.
Messi said he was feeling well in an Instagram post on Monday and hoped to return soon.
Miami is in second place in the Eastern Conference standings.
ESPN's Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.
