Lionel Messi exited Inter Miami's Wednesday win over Nashville after 50 minutes due to what head coach Tata Martino called an "overload" in his right back-of-leg muscles.

Lionel Messi Exits Game Due to Muscle Overload

Miami cruised to victory in Wednesday's game, 3-1 (5-3 aggregate), to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals. Messi scored one goal and assisted another in a straightforward first half.

Messi's Early Exit

But he lasted only five minutes in the second half. "We tried to see if he could last a little longer," Martino said postgame. "But it was bothering him." Martino indicated that Messi would likely miss Miami's next match, Saturday at D.C. United.

Concerns for Messi's Fitness

Martino framed the substitution as something of a precaution. He spoke about not wanting to "run any risks." But his language was ominous, because it mirrored the explanations he gave last fall as Messi struggled with his right hamstring, a periodically recurring issue throughout his career.

Previous Injury Concerns

The issue first resurfaced last September, when Messi exited a World Cup qualifier a few minutes early. He then missed a second qualifier and an Inter Miami game at Atlanta United. He returned for an MLS match against Toronto FC, and all seemed well — until he left that game after 36 minutes.

Looking Ahead

Messi could then be questionable for two Argentina friendlies in the U.S. in late March. Inter Miami's next meaningful game will be in early April, a Champions Cup quarterfinal against either Monterrey or FC Cincinnati.