Argentina fans were left worried on the same day Major League Soccer paused for the World Cup after Lionel Messi was seen limping down the tunnel.
The Inter Miami star, who provided two assists in a thrilling 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union, came off with 17 minutes left. He was seen holding his leg before heading to the sideline.
Nothing immediately suggested a serious injury, but the timing raised concerns. Argentina open their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 17, with the final set for July 19.
Messi appeared to be holding the back of his thigh before being substituted. While there has been no official diagnosis, the signs point to a possible hamstring issue.
With the score tied at 4-4 when he left the pitch, fears quickly grew over the condition of Argentina’s captain. However, journalist Gastón Edul reported that the substitution was mainly a precaution and that Messi “has no muscle injury.”
Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos also played down concerns.
“As far as I know, we don’t have a report on that yet, but he really was fatigued,” Hoyos told the media. “Yes, it was fatigue.
“He was tired, the field was heavy, and rather than doubt, you always say not to take the risk.”
Messi has not yet officially confirmed whether he will play at the 2026 World Cup, saying previously that he would decide based on how his body feels. Still, all indications suggest he will be included in Argentina’s final squad.
The main question now is his fitness. Hamstring problems can range from minor soreness to serious tears, with recovery times varying greatly. For now, Messi’s issue appears to be at the mild end of the scale and is not expected to keep him out for long.
With more than three weeks until Argentina’s first match, there is currently no reason to believe Messi will miss the tournament.
