Lionel Messi puts his feet up as Argentina captain relaxes in the sun with wife Antonela after damaging ankle ligaments in Copa America final
- READ MORE: Lionel Messi breaks his silence on grim ankle injury
- READ MORE: Lionel Messi is ruled out indefinitely for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi was seen relaxing in the sun on Wednesday - just three days after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in the Copa America final vs. Colombia.
Messi was subbed off in the second half of the match with an extremely swollen ankle, as the Argentina star cried on the bench.
His national team later confirmed that he suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle.
However, he seemed to be in slightly better spirits on Wednesday as his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, shared a picture of him lounging outside to her Instagram story.
Roccuzzo added a heart-eyes emoji to the picture, which showed a shirtless Messi making a sheepish grin for the camera.
Lionel Messi was seen relaxing outside on Wednesday as he recovers from an ankle injury
Lionel Messi sobbed on the bench after suffering a gruesome injury in the Copa America final
Inter Miami coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino said on Tuesday that Messi was expected to miss at least two matches.
'He twisted his ankle, and the injury is present so tests are needed and wait for results,' Martino told reporters. 'I've had the opportunity to see other images.
'There will be tests done to determine the severity of the situation. We are always informed through our kinesiologist Walter Insaurralde, who is also the kinesiologist of the national team. He is very cautious at giving a final diagnosis before results are in.'
Messi departed the Copa America final in the 66th minute, with the two sides ultimately needing to play extra time to determine a winner.
Ultimately, Lautaro Martinez found the net in the 112th minute and Argentina were able to capture the trophy without their star man.
Messi did not join his teammates as they returned home to Buenos Aires on Monday night, where fans flooded the streets in wild celebrations.
However, he took to Instagram to insist he was 'fine' and thanked fans for their support.
Leo Messi was in tears after injuring his right ankle in the Copa America final against Colombia
Messi was substituted a little after the hour mark (66') on Sunday. His ankle was wrapped in ice
'The Copa America is over and the first thing I want is to thank everyone for the messages and greetings,' he said in a statement.
'I'm fine, thank God, and I hope I can soon be on the field again enjoying what I like to do most. I am happy, very happy, especially because we achieved the goal we had and Fide ( Angel Di Maria ) leaves us but with another Cup.'
Even with Messi starting just 11 of Miami's 23 games this season, the Herons are currently second in the Eastern Conference - just one point behind FC Cincinnati.
Miami will face Toronto FC on Wednesday and the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
