Lionel Messi: Inter Miami Captain Escapes Serious Injury After Horror Tackle From Nashville Star

• Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami to a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC
• Messi and Luis Suarez scored to complete the comeback for Miami
• He escaped a serious injury after a bad tackle from a Nashville defender

Lionel Messi completed Inter Miami's comeback 2-2 draw against Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup despite suffering a nasty challenge from a defender.

Miami debuted in the competition after winning the Leagues Cup last season. They entered the competition in the round of 16, and their first opponent was the team they beat to win a trophy last year.

The Tennessee team scored twice, one each in the early minutes of the first and second half, leaving their opponent to chase a comeback draw ahead of the second leg.

Messi equalised for the Herons before striker Luis Suarez scored a header deep into the additional minutes of the second half to rescue a draw before the second leg at the Chase Stadium next Wednesday.

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Football

Messi escapes serious injury

As seen in a video by Fox Soccer, in the 76th minute of the encounter, the whole stadium panicked after defender Lukas MacNaughton launched a high boot into Messi's left leg.

The Argentina captain immediately appeared in serious pain, but after an assessment by the medical team, he was allowed to continue and played the entire 90 minutes.

MacNaughton was not even booked, which left the number 10 furious and per The Athletic he was caught on camera telling Nashville defender Shaq Moore “studs up”.

Head coach Tata Martino issued an update on the World Cup winner during his post-match conference:

“Leo Messi finished the game well. He had fatigue in the previous ones, but everything is fine.”

Up next for the Herons is a league game against Montreal before the second leg against Nashville next week, with both games coming up at the Chase Stadium.

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Football

Haaland settles GOAT debate

Sports Brief reported on Erling Haaland naming Messi the GOAT and admits he would have to be retired for any other footballer to be called the best.

The Norwegian lost two awards to the Argentine, including the 2023 Ballon d'Or, but he holds no grudges and acknowledges the greatness of the 36-year-old.