Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi has a strained left hamstring, an injury that could call into some doubt his availability for the reigning MLS Cup champions’ regular-season opener at LAFC on Feb. 21.
The team announced the injury on Wednesday.
Messi, MLS’ back-to-back reigning MVP, scored a goal in a preseason game in Ecuador last weekend but was subbed out about 12 minutes into the second half — presumably because of the hamstring issue.