Lionel Messi requested a substitution and was taken off in the 73rd minute during Inter Miami's wild 6-4 victory against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday night, a worrying sight for Argentina ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The 38-year-old captain played his final club game before joining the national team for the tournament, which begins in 23 days against Algeria in Kansas City.
Messi's Substitution Raises Questions
Messi's actions before being substituted did not appear to indicate any serious issue. He was not limping when he came off the field. Amid a typical South Florida deluge, he took a free kick in the 68th minute and later made a dribbling run with an attempted through ball for an offside Ian Fray, showing no apparent discomfort. However, he spent the next several minutes playing at walking pace before signaling for a substitution while standing near the sideline. He exited the game and went straight down the tunnel.
Reports and Reactions
Multiple reports from observers at Chase Stadium stated that Messi was seen holding his leg, but this was not visible on the broadcast. Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said the club did not yet have a medical report on Messi but believed he was simply fatigued, with the pitch becoming heavy due to rain. It is highly unusual for Messi to be substituted out of a game; he has played a full 90 minutes in every appearance this season and in most games last season when fit, helping Miami win the MLS Cup.
World Cup Preparations
Messi's health will be closely monitored in the coming days given his importance to Argentina's World Cup title defense. Argentina has friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9 before the World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16. They also face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27 in the group stage.
Messi's Previous Doubts
Despite his stature, Messi had previously expressed doubt about his availability for the 2026 World Cup. In an interview last year, he said, “I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my team, if I am there. I'm going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful and then make a decision.”
Messi's Form This Season
Messi has been in excellent form for Miami this season, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in 14 appearances for the defending champions. His potential absence would be a significant blow for both club and country.
