Related videos:
Lionel Messi left the field in the 73rd minute of the match between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union last Sunday, raising concerns in Argentina with less than a month until the start of the 2026 World Cup.
The medical report, issued this Monday by Inter Miami, indicates that the team captain is experiencing "an overload associated with muscle fatigue in the left hamstring" and that "the timeline for his return to physical activities will depend on his clinical and functional progress," without setting a specific return date.
Messi felt discomfort after taking a free kick in the 70th minute; he touched the back of his left thigh and requested to be substituted. He was replaced by M. Silvetti and walked on his own to the locker room, which initially eased the concern.
However, medical sources quoted by La Nación of Argentina confirmed that there is a small muscle injury —ruling out a tear— and estimated a recovery time of approximately ten days.
This deadline gives Messi just enough time for Argentina's World Cup debut, scheduled for June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, leaving minimal room for preparation.
The coach of Inter Miami, Guillermo Hoyos, tried to downplay the seriousness during the post-match press conference: "Honestly, he is fatigued," he stated, attributing the exit to accumulated tiredness and the risk of overexertion on a heavy field, although he acknowledged that the medical staff had not yet completed their report at that time.
The context could not be more delicate for the Argentina national team. The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and the final list of 26 players must be submitted to FIFA by May 30, turning the injury into a race against time for the coach Lionel Scaloni.
Argentina is in Group J along with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Following their debut against Algeria, the reigning world champion will face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.
The situation worsens because the team has already accumulated significant losses: Valentín Carboni was ruled out in February 2026 due to a torn knee ligament, and Juan Foyth was sidelined in January due to a torn Achilles tendon.
The episode rekindles the memory of the Copa América 2024, where Messi ended the final injured and in tears —also in his left thigh— although Argentina was crowned champion 1-0 against Colombia with a goal from Lautaro Martínez in the 112th minute. That injury kept him out for approximately two months.
Messi is 38 years old and the 2026 World Cup is widely regarded as his last World Cup as an active player, which adds a historical dimension to every update regarding his physical condition.
Argentina has scheduled two friendly matches in preparation for the tournament: against Honduras and Iceland in the United States on June 6 and 9, matches that Messi could potentially participate in if his recovery progresses as planned.
Filed under: