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Lionel Messi Injury Update: A deeply concerning piece of news is currently emerging from the football world. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has left the pitch mid-match while playing for Inter Miami. With the upcoming World Cup in mind, this incident has caused hearts to race among the Argentine team and their millions of fans.
Let's find out exactly what happened during that match and what impact this injury to Messi could have on Argentina's World Cup campaign.
Lionel Messi Substituted Mid-Match Against Philadelphia Union
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In a thrilling encounter against Philadelphia Union, Inter Miami secured a magnificent 6-4 victory, thanks to a hat-trick (three goals) by Luis Suárez. However, amidst the celebrations of this major win, fans were dealt a significant shock when, in the 73rd minute, Messi suddenly walked off the pitch.
Typically, when players are substituted, they head toward their team's bench; however, Messi headed straight for the locker room. As he left the field, he was walking quite slowly, and notably, no member of the medical staff accompanied him.
Is Lionel Messi’s Hamstring Injury Back?
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During the match, it was observed that before leaving the field, Messi had clutched his left hamstring at least once.
Worth Noting: During his tenure with Inter Miami over the past three years, Messi has struggled with hamstring issues on at least two previous occasions. Consequently, there is speculation that an old injury may have flared up again.
Did Heavy Rain and Slippery Pitch Cause Messi’s Injury?
Heavy rain began on the pitch right at the start of the second half of the match; as a result, the pitch became extremely wet, and several players were seen slipping. However, Messi was not observed sustaining any direct, serious injury during the rainfall. Therefore, it remains unclear whether Messi’s departure from the field was due to a serious injury or merely a precautionary measure.
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Will Lionel Messi Play in the FIFA World Cup? When Will He Be Fit?
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Ever since Messi left the field, the question on every fan's mind has been: will he be fit in time for the upcoming FIFA World Cup? Messi has already made it clear that he will only play in the World Cup if he is fully fit. Argentina is scheduled to play its first Group Stage match on June 16th.
Since no official medical report regarding Messi's injury has been released yet, it would be premature to declare that he is ruled out. If this was indeed just a precautionary measure, he will soon return to the field, and fans will be able to watch him play in the World Cup.
Major Concern for Argentina Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
If Messi's injury turns out to be serious and he is unable to regain his fitness in time, it will become extremely difficult for the defending champions, Argentina, to retain their title. The entire team's strategy revolves around Messi; consequently, his absence could deal a major blow to Argentina's World Cup campaign.
Lionel Messi’s Historic FIFA World Cup Records and Golden Ball
Just how crucial Lionel Messi's fitness is to the history of football can be understood through these remarkable records of his
- Experience of 5 World Cups: Messi has played in five World Cups to date.
- Two-time Golden Ball Winner: Messi has won the 'Golden Ball' award—presented to the tournament's best player—twice (in 2014 and 2022).
- The Only Player: He is the only player in the world to have won this prestigious award—which was first introduced in 1982—on two occasions.
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