JAKARTA - Inter Miami CF said on Monday, May 25, 2026, local time, that Lionel Messi suffered a muscle fatigue in his left hamstring during the 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union, which forced him to leave the game in the 73rd minute.
"After undergoing further medical tests on Monday, the initial diagnosis showed overload related to muscle fatigue in his left hamstring."
"The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress," Inter Miami said in a press release.
The Inter Miami captain asked to be replaced after taking a free kick in the team's last game before the 2026 World Cup break.
Messi was seen holding the top of his left thigh before asking for a change and immediately heading to the locker room. He was replaced by Mateo Silvetti and did not need any help when he left the field.
The match ended 4-4 when Messi left the field, but Inter Miami scored two goals after his departure to win the game and enter the Major League Soccer long break during the 2026 World Cup in second place in the Eastern Conference.
"As far as I know, we haven't had any reports about it, but he's really exhausted. That's exhaustion. Yeah, it's exhaustion. He's tired, the field is heavy. Instead of hesitating, you always say not to take risks," said Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos after the match.
Meanwhile, Messi is also likely to still be part of Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. The Tango team will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in Group J.
They will also play two friendly matches before the tournament against Honduras on June 6, 2026 and Iceland on June 9, 2026.
The defending World Cup champions will begin the summer tournament on June 16, 2026 against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri.
Lionel Scaloni's manager has not announced his 26-man list for the 2026 World Cup, but there is a big chance of still including Messi.
Messi has appeared in five World Cups, winning the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament twice - first in 2014, then in 2022 when he led Argentina to the title. The award has only been given since 1982, but he is the only player to win it twice.
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