Supporters of the Argentina national team are anxiously awaiting news after Lionel Messi left the field at Nu Stadium on Sunday due to discomfort in his left leg.
Inter Miami CF emerged victorious with a score of 6-4 against the Philadelphia Union in their final Major League Soccer match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but this achievement has been overshadowed by concerns over one of the tournament’s key players sustaining an injury.
In the 70th minute, Messi was seen touching the upper part of his left thigh before requesting to be substituted—an unusual action for him during a game. He was replaced by Mateo Silvetti and walked straight to the locker room.
Fortunately, Messi did not need assistance while exiting the field or heading to the locker room.
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Messi’s participation in the upcoming summer tournament has always been tentative, dependent on his physical condition as of June 1, when Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni submits the final 26-player roster to FIFA.
“I hope to be there and contribute significantly to my national team if selected,” Messi stated in October. “I will evaluate my fitness daily during pre-season with Inter [Miami] to see if I can reach 100%.”
Despite avoiding injuries for several months, his current condition raises doubts about his involvement in the summer tournament.
In preparation for the World Cup, Messi has been working hard to maintain his fitness levels while minimizing the risk of injury. Before Sunday’s match, teammate Rodrigo De Paul revealed that both players had committed to an intensive training routine, including double sessions to maximize their preparation.
“For a couple of months, we’ve been following a strict daily training regimen beyond what is typical at the club,” De Paul shared. “We’re working intensely to ensure we are in the best physical shape, committing to a two-a-day schedule with our trainer.”
Former Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano and interim manager Guillermo Hoyos have been proactive in managing Messi’s workload, particularly during busy stretches of the season.
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Both Messi and De Paul sat out a match against Charlotte FC on March 14, part of a busy stretch of games.
Messi could have opted out of the recent game against the Union, joining a trend of players who decide to miss their final match before the World Cup for precautionary reasons. For example, James Rodríguez sat out Minnesota United’s final two matches to join the Colombian national team early, and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa skipped AEL Limassol’s matches on May 11 and 15 for Mexico.
Additionally, reports indicated that Diego Luna missed Real Salt Lake‘s last match due to precautionary measures ahead of the World Cup.
However, Messi fully committed to the game against the Philadelphia Union, knowing that participation is crucial for maintaining his performance level, even if it comes with risks.
“Although resting may appear beneficial, I find it counterproductive; I need to be competing,” Messi shared in July 2025. “I perform better physically when I engage in more matches.”
He started the match strongly, securing his first assist in the 13th minute by delivering a precise cross that reached Germán Berterame. Throughout the match, Messi was actively involved, covering close to 50 meters by the time he left the field at the 73rd minute.
His relentless effort helped create the third goal for his team, earning him a second assist for Berterame. In total, Messi played a pivotal role in three of the six goals scored by Inter Miami on Sunday night.
Heavy rain during the second half presented challenges as players struggled with traction on the field. Messi slipped just outside the Philadelphia penalty area in the 62nd minute but quickly regained his footing to continue the play.
Shortly after, he made the decision to request a substitution.
The seriousness of Messi’s condition is yet to be determined as he undergoes tests to assess any muscular discomfort. Speculation about his recovery timeline is premature without official medical assessments.
Hoyos addressed the situation post-match, stating that Messi felt fatigued, a factor influenced by the challenging field conditions, and emphasized the importance of not taking unnecessary risks with the player.
“We don’t have a detailed report yet, but fatigue was clearly a factor,” Hoyos noted during the post-game conference. “He was tired; the pitch was heavy. When in doubt, it’s wise to avoid risks.”
Hoyos mentioned that he hadn’t had a follow-up conversation with Messi after the match.
Messi has faced similar situations before and has demonstrated resilience.
Earlier this year, on February 11, Inter Miami announced that Messi missed training due to a left hamstring strain sustained during a friendly against Barcelona SC in Ecuador, leading to the rescheduling of the match against Independiente del Valle.
Fortunately, he was back on the field just a week later.
Previously, Messi had experienced hamstring issues during the Leagues Cup match against Club Necaxa on August 2, 2025, where he was forced to leave the game after 11 minutes due to a collision while dribbling.
After attempting to walk off the injury, he sought medical assistance and exited the match.
He made a quick recovery, returning to action two weeks later and scoring a goal along with an assist in his first game back.
The extent of Messi’s current condition remains uncertain, but he has a history of overcoming injuries and setbacks throughout his illustrious career. At 38 years old, he has transcended various injuries to reach unparalleled achievements and lead his teams to triumph. Time and medical evaluations will reveal the challenges ahead as he aims to participate in the World Cup again.