Lionel Messi Injury Update: He Asked to Be Substituted While Playing for Inter Miami
Here’s a friendly update on Lionel Messi’s injury after he had to leave his last club game before the World Cup.
Messi, who helped Argentina win their third World Cup in Qatar, got two assists in an exciting 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union at Nu Stadium on Sunday night. But at the 73rd minute, with the score tied 4-4, he asked to be taken off and went straight to the locker room, which caused some worry ahead of the World Cup in North America.
The 38-year-old was seen pulling up his shorts and touching the back of his left leg. Inter manager Guillermo Hoyos said Messi’s substitution was because of “fatigue” and that they didn’t have full details yet. He added, “He was tired; the pitch was heavy, so we didn’t want to take any risks.”
Later, Argentine journalist Gaston Edul shared more info, saying Messi’s early exit was just a precaution. Messi didn’t have an injury, just some tightness in his hamstring. On social media, Edul told fans, “Messi asked to be substituted as a precaution because of hamstring tightness. There’s no muscle injury and he didn’t keep putting strain on it.”
This was Messi’s last game for the Herons before the World Cup break. The Barcelona legend is getting ready for what might be his final big tournament. Argentina will play warm-up matches against Honduras and Iceland in early June before the World Cup starts. Their first group game is against Algeria on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan in Group J. The squad, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, will likely be announced next week, with Messi expected to play in his sixth World Cup.
Argentina will stay in Kansas City, Missouri, where they will play one group game. Their other two games will be held in Arlington, Texas.
Messi has scored an amazing 116 goals in 198 games for Argentina, including 13 goals in five World Cups.