As Major League Soccer pauses for the World Cup, concerns are looming for Inter Miami and the Argentine national team. Lionel Messi exited in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami’s thrilling 6-4 triumph over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday. Appearing to clutch his hamstring, Messi was substituted by interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, who brought on Mateo Silvetti in his place. Following his departure from the field, Messi headed directly to the tunnel for an examination.
The club later provided an update, describing the issue as muscle fatigue-related overload in a statement.
“After conducting further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. His return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress,” the statement read.
Messi has experienced similar muscular overloads before, but when managed properly, they have not posed serious threats to his performance, which is the current hope for both his club and country.
Despite his early exit, the 38-year-old Messi made a significant impact by assisting twice in a match that set a league record with eight goals scored in one half. As he gears up for a potential consecutive World Cup victory with Argentina, there is optimism that he’ll recover in time for the tournament. Argentina’s first World Cup match is scheduled for June 16 against Algeria, providing Messi ample time to recuperate without missing any group stage matches. La Albiceleste will also face Austria on June 22 and conclude the group stage against Jordan on June 27.
Prior to the group stage, Argentina is slated to play friendly matches against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9. These tune-up games will allow head coach Lionel Scaloni to assess Messi’s fitness ahead of the World Cup. With the MLS on hiatus, Messi enters the World Cup having netted 12 goals and contributed eight assists in just 13 appearances.
Messi missing time for Argentina wouldn’t be anything new, despite it not happening all that much. He has been rested at times by Scaloni and came out of the 2024 Copa America final with an injury. Argentina went on to beat Colombia 1-0 thanks to an extra time goal from Lautaro Martinez, with Messi winning that competition for the second time.
