Argentina national team fans around the world held their breath after Lionel Messi left the pitch at Nu Stadium — the home field of his team Inter Miami — on Sunday night due to apparent discomfort in his left leg, UNN reports, citing ESPN.
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On Sunday, Inter Miami secured a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union in the final MLS match before the 2026 World Cup, but the result pales in comparison to the injury of one of the tournament's most anticipated players.
In the 70th minute, Messi felt pain in the upper part of his left thigh and requested a substitution — a request he rarely makes on the field. He was replaced by Mateo Silvetti, after which Messi immediately headed to the locker room.
Messi did not require additional assistance either when leaving the field or when walking to the locker room.
His participation in the summer tournament has always been uncertain, depending on his physical fitness by June 1, when Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni officially submits the 26-player squad to FIFA.
"I would like to be there. To feel good and be an important part of helping my national team if I am there," Messi said in October. "I'm going to evaluate it day by day when I start the preseason with Inter [Miami] next year and see if I can truly be 100% ready."
He had avoided injuries for the past few months, but now his participation in the summer tournament is in doubt.
Over the last few months, Messi has worked to find a balance between staying in rhythm for the World Cup and avoiding injuries. Before Sunday's game, Rodrigo De Paul revealed that he and Messi had been participating in double training sessions to prepare for the tournament. The two of them booked extra time on the field, training with Inter Miami in the morning and separately in the afternoon to reach peak form for the summer tournament.
The severity of the situation remains unknown, as Messi undergoes examinations for any muscle discomfort he is experiencing. Any speculation regarding his likely time off the pitch is premature, as there is no medical data to confirm such timelines.
After the match, Inter Miami's acting head coach Ángel Guillermo Hoyos confirmed that the player felt fatigue, with the rain playing a role in the condition of the pitch and the risks he was willing to take with Messi.
"As far as I know, we don't have a report on it yet, but he was indeed tired," Hoyos said at the post-match press conference. "It was fatigue. He was tired, the pitch was heavy, and instead of having doubts, they always say it's not worth taking the risk."
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