Messi hamstring injury raises questions ahead of 2026 World Cup
The 38-year-old’s withdrawal for medical examination comes weeks before Argentina’s tournament opener, though manager Lionel Scaloni retains time to assess fitness.
Lionel Messi sustained a suspected hamstring injury during Inter Miami’s 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday, prompting immediate medical attention. The 38-year-old was substituted in the 73rd minute under interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, replacing Mateo Silvetti, and proceeded directly to the tunnel for examination. The incident has sparked concern ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although Argentina’s first group stage match is not scheduled until June 16.
The injury occurred during Inter Miami’s final match before the Major League Soccer break for the tournament. Messi had registered two assists in the high-scoring encounter, which featured a league-record eight goals in the first half. While the exact severity and diagnosis remain unconfirmed by Inter Miami or the Argentine national team, the substitution appears to have been precautionary given the timing.
Argentina’s World Cup schedule includes friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9 prior to their group stage opener against Algeria. This window provides manager Lionel Scaloni with sufficient time to assess Messi’s fitness before the tournament begins. Argentina’s group stage matches are scheduled against Algeria on June 16, Austria on June 22, and Jordan on June 27.
Messi enters the tournament window with 12 goals and eight assists in 13 appearances for Inter Miami this season. The Argentine national team has a history of managing his workload, with Scaloni having previously rested him during major tournaments. Messi also exited the 2024 Copa America final with an injury, though Argentina secured the title with a 1-0 victory over Colombia.
It remains uncertain whether the substitution was necessitated by acute pain or was a preventive measure. The impact of the injury on Messi’s availability for the pre-tournament friendlies is also unknown. However, the extended timeline before the group stage suggests that any recovery period would not jeopardise his participation in the initial matches.
