Lionel Messi has raised alarm bells at Inter Miami and within the Argentina national team just 18 days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, after failing to complete his final match before the tournament.
The 38-year-old superstar was substituted in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami’s MLS clash against the Philadelphia Union, which Miami won spectacularly 6–4 on Sunday night. Messi signaled toward the bench that he needed to be replaced and was seen holding the back of his leg after taking a free kick. He quickly left the field and then headed straight down the players’ tunnel, entering the dressing rooms at the club’s new stadium, Nu Stadium.
So far, there has been no official medical report regarding his condition, but concern is inevitable given the proximity of the World Cup. After the match, Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul were expected to join Argentina’s training camp in Kansas City on June 1. Both had already begun extra training sessions to prepare for the tournament alongside their usual commitments with Inter Miami.
Messi, who will turn 39 during the World Cup, has still not publicly confirmed whether he will participate in the tournament. According to reports, he had planned to make the decision “at the very last moment” to determine “whether he could be 100% fit,” while this latest injury could further complicate the situation.
If the injury proves serious, Messi’s final World Cup appearance would remain the historic final against France in Qatar, where Argentina lifted the trophy.
Meanwhile, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has not yet announced the 26-man squad for the World Cup. Reports suggest the list will be revealed between May 28 and May 30, while the final deadline for all national teams is June 2. Argentina will then play warm-up friendlies against Honduras and Iceland on June 6 and June 9 before opening their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16.
At the moment, Messi’s participation in the World Cup has not officially been put in doubt, as Inter Miami’s medical staff has yet to provide confirmation or a diagnosis.
Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos stated after the match that he believes it is simply fatigue, influenced partly by the heavy pitch conditions caused by rain. Other reports suggest the substitution was merely precautionary after Messi felt tightness in the muscle.
It is worth remembering that Messi suffered a serious right ankle injury during the 2024 Copa América and played only 66 minutes in the final, where Argentina defeated Colombia to win the trophy.
Despite this latest episode, Messi has been in extraordinary form this season without showing any signs of decline. The back-to-back MLS MVP winner has recorded 13 goals and 7 assists in 16 appearances across all competitions, and he is once again considered one of the favorites for the 2026 MLS MVP award.
