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Lionel Messi was substituted during Inter Miami’s latest Major League Soccer match because of “muscle fatigue” in his left hamstring, his club said on Monday.<\/b><\/p>\n
There had been fears that the 2022 World Cup winner had suffered an injury during Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union.<\/p>\n
However, the MLS club announced that medical tests showed that it was nothing more than “an overload associated with muscle fatigue”.<\/p>\n
“The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress,” Inter Miami said.<\/p>\n
Having set up two of Miami’s four first-half goals on Sunday, Messi clutched his leg in the 73rd minute after taking a free-kick and was immediately withdrawn in the team’s final game before the World Cup break.<\/p>\n
The 38-year-old went straight down the tunnel but appeared to be walking normally.<\/p>\n
“He really was fatigued,” Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game when asked about Messi’s condition. “He was tired; the pitch was heavy and when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you don’t take any risks.”<\/p>\n
Messi has not formally confirmed he plans to play for defending champions Argentina in the World Cup, which begins on 11 June.<\/p>\n
However, he is widely expected to make a record-equalling sixth appearance at a World Cup, with the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n
Argentina’s squad is due to be named next week, with their opening game against Algeria on 16 June.<\/p>\n
Since moving to Miami in 2023, the Barcelona legend and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has carefully managed his workload but has still spent spells out of action with hamstring issues.<\/p>\n
He has 12 goals and eight assists in 14 MLS games this season, only one behind the leader in each category, having scored a league-leading 29 goals and assisted 19 times in 28 games during the 2025 regular season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n