Argentina captain Lionel Messi has sparked fresh injury concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being forced off during Inter Miami CF’s Major League Soccer clash against Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
The 38-year-old forward was substituted in the 73rd minute after appearing to clutch the back of his left leg during the rain-soaked encounter in Miami, raising fears over another possible hamstring problem.
Despite the worrying scenes, Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos played down speculation of a serious injury, insisting the decision was largely precautionary due to the difficult playing conditions.
“As far as I know, we don’t have a medical report yet, but he was clearly fatigued,” Hoyos said after the match.
“The pitch was very heavy because of the weather, and when there is any doubt with a player like Messi, you avoid taking unnecessary risks.”
Messi, who famously led Argentina national football team to World Cup glory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, has not officially confirmed whether he will feature at the upcoming 2026 tournament. However, the football icon is widely expected to return for what would be a historic sixth World Cup appearance — a feat that would equal the all-time record.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Argentina scheduled to open their campaign against Algeria on June 16.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has carefully managed his workload amid recurring muscle and hamstring issues, although the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has still endured several spells on the sidelines.
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