Inter Miami has confirmed that Lionel Messi is dealing with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, raising fresh concerns just weeks before the World Cup.
The Major League Soccer club announced on Monday that medical tests revealed an overload linked to muscle strain after the 38 year old forward was forced off during Miami’s 6–4 win over Philadelphia on Sunday. He left the pitch in the 73rd minute after appearing to feel discomfort in the back of his left leg.
Although Messi signalled the issue on the field, he was seen walking normally as he headed to the dressing room, offering some early hope that the injury might not be serious.
In its official update, Inter Miami stated that further evaluation confirmed muscle fatigue in the left hamstring, adding that his return will depend entirely on how his condition develops over time.
The club did not provide a clear recovery timeline, leaving uncertainty over his availability as Argentina prepares for the defence of their World Cup title at the tournament co hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina are scheduled to begin their campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, with just a short window left for preparation. Messi is expected to feature for what could be a record equalling sixth World Cup appearance, although he has not formally confirmed his participation.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has occasionally been rested during busy schedules to manage his workload, a pattern that has continued throughout his MLS career.
The league has already entered a break period ahead of the tournament, while Argentina are set to announce their final squad next week before heading into friendly matches against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9 as part of their build up.
