Messi exits – Lionel Messi exited Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union in the 73rd minute after reaching toward his left hamstring, sparking fresh worry about his World Cup readiness with Argentina beginning group play on June 16.
Lionel Messi didn’t just come off—he signaled something might be wrong.
In Inter Miami’s final MLS matchup before the World Cup break. the 38-year-old exited early in the 73rd minute. leaving the pitch under his own power but moving slowly as he headed straight down the tunnel to the locker room. He did so after reaching toward his left hamstring in the second half. a moment that immediately turned attention toward whether the defending champions’ star might be at risk just weeks before the tournament starts.
Inter Miami won 6-4 over the Philadelphia Union, and the match still had plenty to celebrate. Messi provided two assists, while German Berterame scored twice during a record-setting first half. But the evening’s turning point arrived when Messi effectively took himself out of play in the 71st minute. appearing to clutch or stretch his left hamstring at least once. When he was substituted for Mateo Silvetti, Messi didn’t even head over toward the Inter Miami bench.
Heavy rain began falling early in the second half. and there were moments when some players looked as if they could slip on the turf. It wasn’t clear whether Messi’s departure was purely precautionary or something more serious. What was clear, though, was the lack of visible team medical personnel accompanying him as he left the field.
Rodrigo De Paul, celebrating on his birthday, added the final blow for Inter Miami by scoring in stoppage time to seal the win.
Argentina still hasn’t named its squad for the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Messi is widely expected to be part of the roster, and his previous stance has been just as direct: he has said he would only play in the World Cup if he is healthy.
The timeline matters. Argentina begins group stage play on June 16, with Group J matches against Algeria at Kansas City on June 16; Austria at Arlington, Texas on June 22; and Jordan back in Arlington on June 27.
If Argentina tops the group—and the defending champions are heavily favored to do so—then Messi’s next potential appearance would come in the Round of 32 in Miami Gardens on July 3. If Argentina instead finds itself in the third-place match. the only other route for Messi to play in South Florida would be on July 18.
Messi arrives with World Cup history that few can match. He has appeared in five World Cups and won the Golden Ball. awarded to the tournament’s best player. twice—first in 2014 and again in 2022 when he led Argentina to the title. That award has been handed out only since 1982, but Messi remains the lone player to win it twice.
Now, with his Inter Miami night ending early and his left hamstring a visible talking point, Argentina’s World Cup preparations carry an uncomfortable question: can the man who has already delivered greatness twice still get to June 16 in the condition he insists on?
Lionel Messi Inter Miami Philadelphia Union MLS hamstring injury World Cup 2026 Argentina Rodrigo De Paul Mateo Silvetti Berterame
Dang I hope that’s not serious.
73rd minute but he walked it off… so either he’s fine or he’s not fine lol. Every time he grabs his hamstring everyone acts like the World Cup is canceled.
Wait so he didn’t go to the bench?? That sounds like injury injury. Also the article says “lack of visible medical personnel” which is kinda sketchy, like where were they even at.
World Cup starts June 16? I thought it was sooner. But yeah hamstring scares me more than like a minor knock. And the rain + slippery turf part… makes me think he slipped or tweaked it on accident even if he was still doing assists. If Argentina doesn’t even have the squad named yet maybe they’ll just “rest” him and hope it heals, right?