Inter Miami revealed Tuesday that Lionel Messi’s right ankle ligament damage will cause him to be absent permanently.

Subbed off in the 66th minute of the team’s 1-0 triumph over Colombia in the Copa América final, the Argentina captain

Inter Miami releases fresh information on ankle injuries suffered by Lionel Messi following Copa America triumph 👆

Coach Gerardo Martino stated he anticipated the 37-year-old to be absent for at least two games before Inter Miami’s statement.

“He twisted his ankle; the damage is evident; thus, tests are required and wait for findings,” he said to reporters. “I have had the chance to view different pictures. Tests will be carried out to ascertain the degree of the problem. Our kinesiologist Walter Insaurralde, also the national team kinesiologist, regularly keeps us updated. Before results are in, he is somewhat wary of rendering a final diagnosis.

After Copa América, Miami most likely already had plans in place to provide Messi a little vacation. It was impossible to picture him going from Sunday’s final and suiting up Wednesday against Toronto FC, and even Saturday’s fixture with Chicago Fire FC might have been pushing it without the injury.

Inter Miami is in an excellent position to withstand his absence should he miss a week or two; it ranks second in the Eastern Conference on 47 points, five ahead of the next closest team.

Inter Miami reports fresh information on ankle injury suffered by Lionel Messi after Copa America triumph 👆

Messi’s is a rather troubling indeterminate quality, though. This season he has been outstanding, ranking second most assists in MLS with 13 and scoring 12 goals.

Having initially arrived in 2023 and not missed a beat since then, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner might have exceeded expectations.

Particularly with Luis Suárez (12 goals in 16 games), someone will have to step forward and assist lead the Inter Miami assault maybe a touch tired coming out of Copa América.