Lionel Messi exited Inter Miami's final match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup after appearing to suffer a left hamstring issue during the second half.
The 38-year-old forward was seen grabbing at his hamstring before signaling toward the sideline for a substitution. Messi immediately headed down the tunnel for evaluation.
The match marked Miami's final fixture before Major League Soccer pauses for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Further medical testing later confirmed that Messi had suffered a left hamstring overload due to muscle fatigue. Miami's head coach, Guillermo Hoyos, described the substitution as precautionary. According to the team's press release, Messi's timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.
SIC Score Analysis
For Messi, the focus is less on a specific injury and more on cumulative wear and soft-tissue management. At this stage of his career, fatigue prevention is critical, and he has been regularly rested during congested stretches to avoid muscle strains. Argentina’s approach is deliberate—limit exposure now to ensure he can handle the physical demands of another deep World Cup run.
Read more on players' injury management ahead of the World Cup HERE
World Cup Outlook
Miami has carefully managed Messi’s workload leading into the tournament, frequently limiting minutes and rest opportunities to preserve him for another deep World Cup run.
The defending champions will travel to Texas for a tune-up match against Honduras national football team on June 6 before facing Iceland national football team on June 9. Argentina opens group play against the Algerian national football team on June 16.
