Lionel Messi is dealing with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, Inter Miami announced on Monday after the legendary soccer player exited Sunday’s match in the 73rd minute, giving Argentine soccer fans a scare.
However, the vagueness of the update does leave some questions for Messi heading into the World Cup break.
“After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring,” his MLS club said in a statement on Monday. “The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.”
The release did not clarify whether the issue would have any impact on Messi’s availability for the World Cup.
Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos didn’t provide much information either when he was asked about Messi’s injury after their 6-4 win over Philadelphia.
“As far as I know, we don’t have a report on that yet, but he really was fatigued. It was fatigue,” Hoyos told reporters on Sunday. “Yes, it was fatigue. He was tired, the field was heavy, and rather than doubt, you always say not to take the risk.”
Messi has not stated officially whether he will play in the World Cup and Argentina has not announced its final roster yet prior to the June 1 deadline set by FIFA.
The Argentina national team will play a pair of pre-World Cup friendlies on June 6 and June 9 when they face Honduras in College Station, Texas and Auburn, Alabama.
This will potentially be Messi’s sixth World Cup, and likely his last should he take the pitch next month.
He led Argentina to a World Cup crown in 2022, while also winning the Golden Ball for being the best player in the tournament.
Messi won the award in 2014 as well.
Argentina will begin the World Cup on June 16 against Algeria.
Messi exited Inter Miami’s final game before the break in the 73rd minute after grabbing at the upper part of his left thigh and requested to be subbed off.
He went straight to the Miami locker room, though he was able to walk under his own power.
