Messi sustained a left hamstring muscle strain in his last match, Inter Miami announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Minutes later, Inter Miami announced it has postponed its Friday match against Ecuadorian LigaPro Serie A champions Independiente del Valle set to be played at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The match will be moved from Friday, Feb. 13 to Thursday, Feb. 26.
The club will still hold a scheduled training session with local youth on Feb. 12, and an open practice in Puerto Rico on Feb. 25.
“I wanted to send this message to the people of Puerto Rico, both those who were going to attend the training session and the match. The truth is that I ended up with an injury during the last match in Ecuador, which is why I left before the end,” Messi said on Instagram.
Inter Miami, in a press release, said “The club, in collaboration with the event promoter and the government of Puerto Rico, believe shifting the match will allow for the best experience for fans in Puerto Rico.”
Messi scored a goal and delivered an assist to new Inter Miami player Germán Berterame against Ecuadorian side Barcelona S.C. on Feb. 7, but left the match in the 58th minute as an early substitute due to the injury.
Messi played 63 minutes in the first preseason match, a 3-0 loss to Peruvian side Alianza Lima on Jan. 24. He played until the 82nd minute in the second preseason match, a 2-1 win against Colombian club Atlético Nacional on Jan. 31.
Messi and Inter Miami begin the 2026 MLS season on the road against Los Angeles FC on Feb. 21.