Lionel Messi will face a race for fitness to feature at the start of the MLS season for Inter Miami after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Argentina superstar did not feature in Miami's training session on Wednesday, having suffered the injury during a friendly with Barcelona SC in Ecuador.

Miami confirmed Messi's withdrawal from training in a club statement, just over a week before their MLS opener away to Los Angeles FC on February 22.

"Messi did not participate in training this Wednesday, February 11, due to a muscle strain in his left hamstring sustained during the match against Barcelona SC in Ecuador, which has persisted since then," the club posted on social media.

"The player underwent additional medical tests that confirmed the diagnosis. His gradual return to training will depend on his clinical and functional progress in the coming days."

Messi made more history after his record-breaking season last campaign, and was rewarded by scooping the MLS MVP title for the second consecutive year.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner became the first player to claim the individual accolade in back-to-back years after leading the Herons to their maiden MLS Cup title. 

Miami will be desperate for their star to recover, given he finished the regular season with 29 goals and 19 assists, securing the Golden Boot.

His 48 regular-season goal contributions last season also fell just shy of the division's record, 49 by Carlos Vela during the 2019 season with LAFC, with Miami and Messi out to defend their crown next term.