Lionel Messi sparked global concern on Sunday after abruptly exiting Inter Miami’s final Major League Soccer match before the World Cup break, clutching the back of his left leg in what many feared could jeopardize his availability for Argentina’s title defense this summer. The 38-year-old captain was substituted in the 73rd minute of Miami’s chaotic 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union at a rain-soaked Nu Stadium, walking straight down the tunnel without returning to the bench after being replaced by Mateo Silvetti.
Messi had been instrumental in a record-setting first half, recording two assists as Miami overturned an early 2-0 deficit to tie the game 4-4 by halftime, an MLS record for goals in one half. However, around the 69th minute he made a run toward the penalty area but pulled up short, and moments later was seen reaching for his left hamstring before approaching the technical area to request a substitution. Heavy rain had begun falling early in the second half, leaving the pitch waterlogged and causing several players to slip, which may have contributed to the discomfort.
Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos told reporters after the match that the club did not yet have a medical report but characterized the substitution as precautionary, saying Messi was genuinely suffering from fatigue. Hoyos added that the pitch was heavy and that when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you do not take any risks, especially with the World Cup rapidly approaching. Teammate Mateo Silvetti said he was just as in the dark as everyone else and did not know if it was an injury or simply tiredness, but hoped it would turn out to be nothing serious.
The moment was highly unusual for Messi, who almost never comes off in games. He had played the full 90 minutes in each of his 13 previous MLS appearances this season, as well as both of his CONCACAF Champions Cup matches with Miami. Messi has carefully managed his workload since joining Inter Miami in 2023, regularly being excused from matches during congested fixture periods, and has spent multiple stints on the sidelines in recent years due to hamstring problems that caused him to miss parts of Miami’s preseason earlier this year.
Argentina’s coaching staff and supporters now await clarity on his condition with the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Argentina opens its Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, with warm-up friendlies scheduled against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9. Although Messi has not formally confirmed he will play, he is widely expected to captain the side in what would be a record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance. Messi has said in the past that he would only play in the World Cup if healthy, and the team is scheduled to name its final squad next week.
Despite the scare, Messi was seen walking under his own power and without medical assistance as he left the field. Inter Miami went on to secure the 6-4 win thanks to Luis Suárez’s hat trick and a stoppage-time goal from Rodrigo De Paul. The match itself was the highest-scoring of the MLS season so far, but the result was quickly overshadowed by questions about the fitness of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as Argentina prepares to defend the trophy Messi helped lift in Qatar in 2022.
