Messi to miss Inter Miami games this week due to Copa injury

MIAMI — Lionel Messi, who injured his ankle during the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, will miss at least the next two Inter Miami games, coach Tata Martino confirmed on Tuesday.

Inter Miami plays a pair of home games today against Toronto FC and against Chicago Fire on Saturday.

“Leo’s ankle is … well, you all saw the images,” Martino said of Messi’s swollen ankle. “He had a sprain. There will be further testing to determine the severity of the injury.”

Asked if he thought it was a serious, long-term injury, the coach said: “No, no … I don’t want to speculate further, but he had a sprain. He has to have more tests and wait for the results. Walter [Insaurralde], our kinesiologist, is the same one used by the Argentine national team, he is always very cautious in his diagnoses until all the testing is done.”

Messi dropped to the field and exited Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the 64th minute, remained down for several minutes and then he took off his right boot and hobbled to the bench. He was shown on TV sobbing at his seat, face buried in his hands. He limped over to the trophy celebration after the game.

The 37-year-old Argentina captain was initially injured in the first half and held his right ankle after a strong challenge by Colombia’s Santiago Arias. Messi and Arias were chasing a ball that was headed out of bounds, Messi stepped awkwardly and stayed down for several minutes. He eventually got up and returned to the game.

Messi suffered a groin strain earlier in the tournament and missed the group stage game against Peru.