Lionel Messi ended his final match of the calendar year with a groin injury that forced him to be substituted in Argentina's 1-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday.
The Argentina captain was replaced in the 78th minute of Tuesday's match, which was marred by clashes between fans and police, and afterwards Messi complained of an injury to his groin. — Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) «I felt discomfort in my adductor,» Messi said. «It was my last game of the year so I have time to get well to start 2024 giving everything.» The Inter Miami forward received treatment on the touchline in the first half and looked short of fitness.
Messi said the 27-minute delay to the start of the game caused by the violent clashes contributed to his injury. «It didn't help me to cool down and go inside the locker room and then come back,» he said.
Messi, 36, played all 90 minutes of Argentina's 2-0 victory over Peru on Thursday, his first competitive game since Oct. 21 when he started in Inter Miami's 1-0 defeat to Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer.