Messi parts ways with a top midfielder at Inter Miami

A teammate of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami has been confirmed to miss the remainder of the MLS season following surgery.

As MLS approaches the crucial phase before the playoffs, Lionel Messi is leading Inter Miami in the fight for a knockout stage spot. However, the team suffered a setback after confirming that a young midfielder will be sidelined for the rest of the regular season.

According to journalist Jose Armando, Honduran midfielder David Ruiz will be out for the entire 2025 MLS season after undergoing surgery to treat a persistent muscle injury that has troubled him since early this year.

At 21 years old, Ruiz has repeatedly faced fitness issues, managing to appear in only seven matches this season. Sometimes he had to sit out due to injury, while other times coach Javier Mascherano had to keep him on the bench.

Ruiz’s absence is a significant loss for Inter Miami, especially as the squad has already been affected by multiple injuries. This leaves Mascherano without an important rotation option during the critical final six matches before the playoffs.

Inter Miami now faces a congested schedule: seven games in 22 days. After a rough start with a loss to Charlotte FC, the team quickly bounced back with wins against Seattle Sounders and D.C. United, maintaining their contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Recently, a victory at New York City FC secured the Florida side’s place in the MLS Cup Playoffs. This will surely boost Mascherano’s morale, especially after losing Allen Obando to injury, Telasco Segovia to suspension, and now Ruiz out for the season.

Regarding Messi, the Argentine superstar continues to lead Inter Miami as captain. He has scored and assisted in three consecutive games (5 goals, 3 assists), maintaining his position as the MLS top scorer with 24 goals and stands a strong chance of becoming the first player to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award two years in a row.

Looking ahead, Messi and his teammates will travel to face Toronto FC, then conclude their run with two home matches at Chase Stadium against Chicago Fire and New England Revolution.

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