Lionel Messi is ruled out indefinitely for Inter Miami as extent of horrific ankle injury is revealed

Lionel Messi is group to miss Inter Miami's adjacent group of matches owed to a ligament wounded successful his correct ankle, nan squad announced connected Tuesday. 

The 37-year-old, eight-time Ballon d'Or victor sustained nan wounded successful Argentina's 1-0 triumph complete Colombia connected Sunday successful nan Copa America last successful Miami. He went down successful nan 64th infinitesimal and needed extended curen aft instantly looking to nan Argentina bench. 

Messi first took disconnected his correct footwear earlier stepping slow disconnected nan section to spot if he could proceed playing. But, he was past shown covering his look and sobbing successful his seat, arsenic cameras yet showed Messi connected nan chair pinch crystal connected a swollen correct ankle. 

'After a aesculapian evaluation, it has been wished that Leo Messi has suffered a ligament wounded successful his correct ankle,' a connection shared by nan Argentinean FA read. 

'The captain's readiness will beryllium wished by periodic assessments and nan advancement of his recovery.'

Inter Miami coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino said earlier connected Tuesday, earlier nan trial results, that Messi was expected to miss astatine slightest 2 matches.

'He twisted his ankle, and nan wounded is coming truthful tests are needed and hold for results,' Martino told reporters. 'I've had nan opportunity to spot different images. 

'There will beryllium tests done to find nan severity of nan situation. We are ever informed done our kinesiologist Walter Insaurralde, who is besides nan kinesiologist of nan nationalist team. He is very cautious astatine giving a last test earlier results are in.'

Inter Miami rank 2nd successful nan Eastern Conference standings heading into location matches this week, first against Toronto FC connected Wednesday earlier nan Chicago Fire connected Saturday.

Messi, 37, has recorded 12 goals and 13 assists successful 12 MLS matches this season, nan eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's first afloat run successful MLS.

He said he was doing well in an Instagram station connected Monday and that he hoped to return soon.

'I'm fine, convey God, and I dream I tin soon beryllium connected nan section again enjoying what I for illustration to do most,' Messi partially said successful a lengthy station paying tribute to nan outgoing Angel Di Maria.