Lionel Messi's Injury Scare Ahead of FIFA World Cup Raises Concerns

Messi Exits MLS Match Early

As the FIFA World Cup approaches, fans of Lionel Messi experienced a significant scare when he left the field during an MLS match against the Philadelphia Union. Messi appeared to be in discomfort after taking a free kick and exited the game in the 73rd minute. Observers noted him touching the back of his left leg before consulting with the Inter Miami bench during the match. He was subsequently replaced by Mateo Silvetti.

This early departure was unusual for Messi, who had played the full 90 minutes in all of his previous 13 MLS appearances. His sudden exit against Philadelphia raises concerns about a potential injury. Adding to the worry, Messi did not linger near the sidelines but instead went straight down the tunnel. Fans are eagerly awaiting official news regarding his condition.

Fans are particularly anxious about Messi's availability for the World Cup, where he is expected to captain Argentina in what many speculate could be his final tournament. Leading up to the event, Argentina has scheduled friendly matches against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9, before kicking off the tournament against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano shared an update on social media, indicating that the Inter Miami medical team would evaluate Messi's condition. He tweeted, "Leo Messi left the pitch with a suspected injury during his last game for Inter Miami before the 2026 World Cup. Inter Miami staff to assess his issue."

Further updates are expected soon.