Messi suffers muscle fatigue in his left hamstring: Inter Miami
Miami, May 26
Inter Miami CF has provided an update for Lionel Messi after the Argentina star suffered an injury scare less than three weeks before the start of the FIFA World Cup.
Messi left the field during Sunday's MLS match against Philadelphia Union, due to physical discomfort after taking a free kick. What raised concerns was the fact that Messi did not remain on the bench after being substituted, instead heading straight to the locker room accompanied by members of the medical staff.
After the match, Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos said Messi had felt tired after playing on a "heavy" pitch.
The MLS on Tuesday issued an update saying the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with "muscle fatigue in his left hamstring".
"After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress," Inter Miami said in a statement.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Argentina enter the global showpiece as defending champions. They'll compete in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria (June 22) and Jordan (June 27).
While Messi hasn't formally declared he'll participate in his record sixth World Cup, he's expected to captain Lionel Scaloni's side this summer alongside Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul.
Messi led La Albiceleste to the 2022 World Cup title and is approaching 200 caps for his country. He has appeared in a record 26 World Cup matches while producing 13 goals and 8 assits.
Argentina are three-time World Cup champions, and Messi has a program-best 116 goals in 198 caps. He led them to the trophy at Qatar 2022, which ended with an epic penalty-shootout victory over France.
At the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup, the top two teams per group advance to the knockout rounds - as do the top eight third-place finishers.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm not surprised. MLS pitches can be quite heavy, especially in summer, and Messi has been playing non-stop for club and country. But seeing him walk straight to the locker room was alarming. India may not be in the World Cup, but we all love watching the GOAT. Let's hope it's just precautionary and he's fit for the group stage against Algeria and Austria. 🤞
Honestly, Messi should be resting more. At 38, these minor niggles become major if not handled carefully. Argentina are defending champions and they need him sharp for knockout rounds, not just to walk through the group. Also, that group looks tricky—Algeria and Austria won't be pushovers. Need a proper rotation policy at Inter Miami.
As a neutral fan who enjoys watching football from across the world, this is concerning. Messi is the heartbeat of Argentina. If he's not 100%, their chances drop dramatically. The initial diagnosis sounds mild, but 'muscle fatigue' can be a ticking time bomb if rushed. Let's hope Inter Miami's medical staff are cautious, not the 'play through it' type.
Every World Cup cycle, there's a Messi injury scare. I remember before 2014, 2018, and even 2022. Dude is a warrior. That said, 3 weeks is enough time for proper recovery if it's just fatigue. Argentina's depth is okay, but without Messi's leadership and magic, they'd struggle. Let's just hope he's ready for June 11. 🇦🇷🔥
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