World Cup Concern as Messi Suffers Hamstring Fatigue, Return Date Yet to Be Confirmed
By Wilson Orji
E-ISSN:2354-4481
Fresh concerns have emerged over the fitness of Lionel Messi after Inter Miami CF confirmed that the Argentine star is dealing with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, just weeks before the start of the FIFA World Cup.
The Major League Soccer side disclosed the medical update on Monday following further examinations, but stopped short of providing a definitive timeline for Messi’s return to action. The uncertainty comes after the veteran forward was forced off during Inter Miami’s thrilling 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
Messi, 38, appeared to experience discomfort in the latter stages of the match and signaled to the bench before being substituted in the 73rd minute. Although he was seen walking unaided as he left the pitch, the incident immediately sparked concerns about his availability for international duty.
In an official statement, Inter Miami explained that medical evaluations revealed an overload-related muscle fatigue in the player’s left hamstring. The club added that his recovery timeline would depend on ongoing clinical assessments and functional progress.
The update has intensified speculation regarding Messi’s readiness for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, where the reigning champions, Argentina's national football team will seek to defend the title they won in Qatar. The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on June 11.
Argentina is set to open its campaign five days later against Algeria's national football team in Kansas City, making Messi’s fitness a major point of attention for supporters and the national team’s technical staff.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi’s workload has been carefully managed, with the club frequently rotating him during demanding fixture schedules to preserve his fitness and reduce injury risks.
The ongoing Major League Soccer break for the World Cup could provide the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner with valuable recovery time as he works toward full fitness ahead of the global tournament.
Although Messi has not publicly confirmed whether he will feature at the World Cup, he is widely expected to be included in Argentina’s squad, which is due to be announced next week. Participation would see him equal the record for the most FIFA World Cup appearances by a player, with six tournament appearances.
Before the competition begins, Argentina is scheduled to play warm-up matches against the Honduras national football team on June 6 and the Iceland national football team on June 9 as part of their final preparations for the title defence.
