messi injury Lionel Messi injury history: Full list of injuries for Inter Miami star from Barcelona, PSG, Argentina

Now 37 years old and in the twilight of his career, Lionel Messi has proven he can still perform close to his best after impressing during his first few months in MLS with Inter Miami.

With age, however, comes greater attention to his match fitness, and his club may well be forced to be particularly cautious with their superstar.

That was evident as Messi has begun to rack up a lengthy injury list with Inter Miami, as a host of muscular problems in his adductor and hamstring start to accumulate.

An injury in the 2024 Copa America final, however, left him sidelined through the summer of 2024 for a different reason. Messi sprained his ankle quite badly, as he landed awkwardly while trying to deliver a cross into the penalty area. Inter Miami confirmed he will miss at least the first two matches back after the tournament, and it’s unclear when he will be ready to return.

Inter beat Toronto FC 3-1 in Messi’s absence on July 18 and will hope for similar success in the forthcoming home game against Chicago.

MORE: Tata Martino must change his approach to give Lionel Messi rest and keep him healthy

Lionel Messi injury history

Lionel Messi has been incredibly resilient throughout his long and illustrious football journey, but even the most durable players will inevitably suffer their fair share of injuries throughout such a career.

At the beginning of his career, Messi appeared to have issues with his hamstring, especially on his favored left foot, as a number of thigh injuries sidelined him for long stretches during the first five years of his career at Barcelona.

Since the start of 2016, however, he has been exceedingly injury-averse, avoiding serious knocks at an incredible rate and managing to stay fit to log significant minutes for both club and country.

Lionel Messi’s major injuries

This list includes all injuries across Lionel Messi’s career that caused him to miss three or more games. All injury data via Transfermarkt.com, unless specified. Does not include illness, lack of match fitness or rest.

• Ankle injury: Mon, Jul. 15, 2024 — TBD (Inter Miami, 2 matches minimum)
• Hamstring injury: Wed, Mar. 13, 2024 — Sat, Apr. 5, 2024 (Inter Miami, 4 matches — Argentina, 2 matches)
• Adductor injury*: Feb. 1, 2024 — Feb. 7, 2024 (Inter Miami, 2 preseason matches)
• Scar tissue flare-up: Sep. 21, 2023 — Oct. 6, 2023 (Inter Miami, 4 matches)
• Calf strain: Oct. 5, 2022 — Oct. 13, 2022 (PSG, 3 matches)
• Knee injury: Oct. 29, 2021 — Nov. 11, 2021 (PSG, 3 matches)
• Calf injury: Aug. 5, 2019 — Sep. 16, 2019 (Barcelona, 4 matches — Argentina, 2 matches)
• Forearm fracture: Oct. 21, 2018 — Nov. 9, 2018 (Barcelona, 5 matches)
• Adductor tear: Sep. 22, 2016 — Oct. 15, 2016 (Barcelona, 4 matches — Argentina, 2 matches)
• MCL injury: Sep. 28, 2015 — Nov. 18, 2015 (Barcelona, 9 matches — Argentina, 4 matches)
• Hamstring tear: Nov. 10, 2013 — Jan. 6, 2014 (Barcelona, 9 matches — Argentina, 2 matches)
• Hamstring strain: Sep. 28, 2013 — Oct. 18, 2013 (Barcelona, 2 matches — Argentina, 2 matches)
• Hamstring strain: May 13, 2013 — Jun. 6, 2013 (Barcelona, 3 matches)
• Hamstring strain: Apr. 3, 2013 — Apr. 22, 2013 (Barcelona, 4 matches)
• Thigh injury: Mar. 4, 2008 — Apr. 10, 2008 (Barcelona, 8 matches — Argentina, 1 match)
• Hamstring strain: Dec. 17, 2007 — Jan. 14, 2008 (Barcelona, 6 matches)
• Foot fracture: Nov. 13, 2006 — Feb. 8, 2007 (Barcelona, 18 matches — Argentina, 1 match)
• Hamstring tear: Mar. 8, 2006 — May 21, 2006 (Barcelona, 17 matches)

*Confirmed by the player

Lionel Messi’s matches missed by club

All injury data via Transfermarkt.com. Does not include matches missed due to illness, lack of match fitness or rest. Does include national team games missed or friendly matches.