Inter Miami’s 6-4 residence win over Philadelphia on Could 24 was overshadowed by captain Lionel Messi making method late within the second half whereas clutching the again of his left thigh.
The Argentina worldwide was substituted and clearly in discomfort, resulting in considerations that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s participation on the 2026 FIFA World Cup could possibly be in danger.
“Actually, as an Argentinean, I’m involved like everybody else,” mentioned teammate and fellow Rosario-born ahead Mateo Silvetti.
Right here’s the newest on Messi’s situtation, together with when the 38-year-old might return and his prospects of taking part in on the World Cup.
What’s the newest information on Lionel Messi’s damage?
Interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos didn’t have a definitive replace instantly after the win however mentioned Messi was “fatigued” on a pitch made heavy by rain.
“Moderately than doubt, you all the time say to not take the chance,” added Hoyos, who noticed Luis Suarez hit a hat-trick, German Berterame rating twice and Rodrigo De Paul internet one other on a scoresheet dominated by South American forwards.
“I attempted to see how he was doing after the sport however didn’t see him within the locker room,” mentioned Silvetti. “I don’t know if he was with the medical employees or went residence.
“In the intervening time he went off, we have been all concentrating on the sport, so I wasn’t desirous about if it was for an damage or as a result of he was drained.”
How lengthy will Messi be out for? Which video games will he miss?
Hoyos’s remarks make Messi’s exit a probably precautionary one, however a report by Ole has instructed the problem could possibly be extra severe.
The Argentinean outlet cited a supply to have mentioned that Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, was “considerably emotional” within the dressing room afterwards.
Relying on their severity, hamstring accidents often take between 4 and 6 weeks to completely get well from, which might imply Messi won’t be match till at the least the top of the group stage on the finals.
Will Messi play on the World Cup with Argentina? Potential return date
Messi’s challenge occurred three weeks earlier than Argentina’s opening match of the event in opposition to Algeria.
A return in 4 weeks might imply Messi misses two matches on the finals. Ought to they win their group, Argentina’s last-32 match shall be in Miami on July 3.
Argentina’s preliminary World Cup schedule appears like this. Kick-off occasions with an asterisk denote the day before today.
| Date | Opponents | BST | ET | PT | Venue |
| Tue, June 16 | Algeria | 02:00* | 21:00 | 18:00 | Kansas |
| Mon, June 22 | Austria | 18:00 | 13:00 | 10:00 | Arlington |
| Sat, June 27 | Uruguay | 03:00* | 22:00 | 19:00 | Arlington |
Lionel Messi stats, damage historical past
Two-time MLS Participant of the 12 months Messi has produced a exceptional complete of 12 objectives and eight assists in 14 league matches this season.
With 116 objectives in 198 appearances for Argentina, Messi has 60 extra objectives than the next-highest scorer for his nation, Gabriel Batistuta.
Miami and Argentina have missed Messi for a complete of 30 matches by way of damage since September 2023, most notably when he was dominated out for 2 months with an ankle damage suffered throughout Argentina’s win over Colombia within the 2024 Copa America last.
Who might Argentina exchange Lionel Messi with?
Whereas many regard Messi’s skills as irreplaceable, the excellent news for Argentina supervisor Lionel Scaloni is that he has potent attacking choices if the skipper is unavailable.
Scaloni was but to call his squad for the finals when Miami performed their last recreation earlier than the World Cup, however Julian Alvarez is prone to be a starter, having contributed 20 objectives and 9 assists in 49 appearances for Atletico Madrid this season, discovering the online 10 occasions and organising 4 objectives throughout 15 video games within the Champions League.
Lautaro Martinez scored 22 objectives in 41 video games for Inter and the likes of Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and former Atleti schemer De Paul supply ample artistic provide behind the ahead line.
Argentina did, nonetheless, draw a clean of their final aggressive match with out Messi, shedding 1-0 in Ecuador in World Cup qualifying in September.
