Injured Lionel Messi hobbles onto field in protective boot as Inter Miami celebrate captain’s 45th major title after Copa America win with Argentina

Six days after Lionel Messi’s ankle swelled up to nearly twice its size and was subbed out of the Copa American final, the Argentine legend hobbled onto the field in a protective boot at an Inter Miami game. 

Messi is out indefinitely with the injury, but appeared live at his club team’s game to accept a plaque to commemorate his 45th major title win for club and country as a player. 

Those 45 triumphs of course include bringing Inter Miami its first hardware in club history last year, winning the Leagues Cup. 

Messi received a huge ovation from the crowd for his appearance, as many in attendance hoped to see him on the field not in a boot, but in Inter Miami’s signature pink jersey instead. 

Messi did not have the explosive Copa America tournament most expected, but still lead Argentina to victory, as they won Sunday’s final over Colombia in extra time. 

Messi’s off-field happening have dominated his post-Copa America hype, not only with his injuries but his true responsibilities as captain. 

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After the victory, Argentina teammate and Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez was caught singing a racist chant on the team bus. 

Fernandez has since apologized in several ways, with discipline expected. Messi was not present on the bus during the incident. 

Yet, the chant has been a stain on Argentina’s third major-tournament triumph in less than three years.  

Julio Garro, a member of Argentine president Javier Milei’s administration, is claimed to have told Messi and Argentine soccer chief Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia to publicly show remorse for the way some of the South American champions acted, according to La Nacion.

However, Garro has since strongly denied asking Messi to apologize.

Messi has yet to speak on Fernandez’s behavior publicly.