Messi World Cup status clouded after Inter Miami confirms hamstring overload
Lionel Messi’s status for the start of the 2026 World Cup is in doubt after Inter Miami confirmed the Argentine star is dealing with a hamstring issue.
The club announced late Monday afternoon that the reason he exited the field before the end of Sunday’s 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union is that he felt “physical discomfort”. Medical tests Monday indicate he is dealing with “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, the team statement said.
Messi could be seen touching the back of his left thigh after a free kick in the 70th minute on Sunday. He went straight to the tunnel and into the locker room with Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union tied 4-4 after combining for an MLS-record eight first half goals. Mateo Silvetti replaced him.
“Honestly, as an Argentinean, I’m concerned like everyone else, I tried to see how he was doing after the game, but did not see him in the locker room,” said Silvetti, who is from Messi’s hometown of Rosario. “I don’t know if he was with the medical staff or if he went home. At the moment he left, we were all concentrating on the game, so I wasn’t thinking about if it was for an injury or because he was tired.”
Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, begins defense of its title June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, and then faces Austria June 22 and Jordan June 27, both in Arlington, Texas. The team will also play two pre-tournament friendlies against Honduras on June 6, and Iceland on June 9.