Inter Miami confirmed Lionel Messi has a left hamstring issue, one that has popped up about a week before defending FIFA World Cup champions Argentina are set to begin their training camp for this year’s title defence.
And the events of Sunday and Monday surely add at least a bit of intrigue to Argentina’s plans.
Messi underwent testing on Monday (Tuesday AEST), which almost certainly means an MRI exam, though the team did not divulge what procedures were involved, and was ultimately diagnosed with “an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring” that kept him from finishing Inter Miami’s match against Philadelphia Union.
“The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress,” Inter Miami said in a release.
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 25, 2026
Messi was subbed out of Sunday’s match against Philadelphia in the 73rd minute. He essentially stopped playing a couple of minutes earlier and was seen grabbing at the back of his left leg at least once before he was substituted.
The 38-year-old forward walked off the field without any assistance and went directly to the team’s locker room. Inter Miami, the defending MLS champions, won the game 6-4 and Messi had a pair of assists in the first half.
Heavy rain fell during the second half, leaving the field slippery, but it was unknown if the conditions were involved in the decision for him to leave the match. All the team said Monday was he was subbed out because of “physical discomfort.”
Argentina, champions in 2022 having overcome the Socceroos in the Round of 16, will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J.
Their first match is scheduled against Algeria on June 17 (AEST).
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