Messi Terrifies Argentinians With Late-Game Exit
Lionel Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami’s win on Sunday, raising concern less than three weeks before Argentina begin their World Cup title defense.
Lionel Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday after clutching the back of his thigh, raising concern less than three weeks before Argentina begin their World Cup title defense.
Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the match that the club did not yet have a medical report, but suggested Messi was likely dealing with fatigue rather than a confirmed injury.
“We don’t have a medical report on that yet, but we will have one shortly,” Hoyos told reporters.
“He was genuinely suffering from fatigue,” he said. “He was tired, the pitch was heavy and when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you don’t take any risks.”
The incident came after one of Messi’s trademark free kicks in his final club appearance before Major League Soccer pauses for the World Cup. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni named Messi in his preliminary 55-man squad on May 11. The squad must be reduced to 26 players by FIFA’s June 1 deadline.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, led Argentina to its third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022 and remains central to the team’s hopes of defending the trophy.
Argentina open their World Cup campaign against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16.