Lionel Messi has sparked fresh injury concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Inter Miami CF confirmed that the Argentine captain is suffering from left hamstring fatigue.
The football icon was forced off during Inter Miami’s dramatic 6-4 Major League Soccer victory against Philadelphia Union on Sunday in Miami, raising fears over his fitness just weeks before the global tournament begins.
The 38-year-old forward reportedly grabbed the back of his left leg in the 73rd minute before requesting to be substituted.
Medical examinations carried out on Monday revealed muscle overload linked to fatigue in his left hamstring. Club officials, however, did not provide a definite date for his return to action.
Inter Miami explained that Messi’s recovery timeline would depend on his physical response and clinical progress.
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The football world collectively holding its breath right now. Get well soon legend. The World Cup needs you
The entire country of Argentina just stopped breathing when that news dropped 🇦🇷
MLS schedule is brutal. Playing on turf. Traveling constantly. At 38. Of course his body is screaming
Argentina without Messi at this World Cup is not Argentina. That entire squad runs through him emotionally even if others carry the physical load
He already won the World Cup in 2022. He doesn’t owe anyone anything. But seeing him limp off like this still hurts 💔
Hamstring injuries at 38 are no joke. Even minor ones can linger for weeks. The timing couldn’t be worse
This is giving 2014 final flashbacks when he was running on fumes. Except now he’s almost a decade older
Messi grabbing his hamstring and ASKING to be subbed?? That man plays through everything. This is serious 😭😭
38 years old with hamstring fatigue weeks before the World Cup… I’m not ready for this timeline
Praying it’s just fatigue and not a tear. Fatigue recovers. Tears require miracles
Watch him recover in two weeks and score a hat-trick in the opening match. Because he’s Messi. Because that’s what he does 🐐
Inter Miami better not rush him back. I swear if they risk Messi’s World Cup for an MLS game…
Messi asking to be substituted is like Jordan asking to sit. It doesn’t happen unless something is genuinely wrong
Inter Miami saying “no definite return date” is the most terrifying phrase they could have used. Just say he’s okay PLEASE
Rest him. Wrap him in cotton wool. Do whatever it takes. Just get him on that plane to the World Cup 🛐