Inter Miami CF faced off against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday in their final match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to begin in less than three weeks. Despite securing a 6-4 victory under wet conditions, the focus was on Lionel Messi.
The 38-year-old star left the game in the 73rd minute due to an apparent leg or hamstring issue. This brief scare raised concerns about his participation in what could be his sixth World Cup with Argentina, a significant milestone he has not officially confirmed.
Reports from outlets such as Doble Amarilla and The Touchline provided reassuring news. Post-match assessments showed no serious injury; instead, the diagnosis pointed to muscle fatigue. This eased concerns regarding his availability for the tournament and upcoming friendlies.
“The whole world just heaved a sigh of relief. The GOAT is fine. We are all fine,” shared a fan.
The soccer community breathed a collective sigh of relief following the update, recognizing the potential gravity of Messi’s absence. His participation is particularly poignant as it might be his final World Cup appearance.
Fans expressed their relief, with one supporter stating, “Thank goodness. We have a World Cup to defend.” Argentina aims to defend their title won in a thrilling 2022 final against France. In the 2026 tournament, they will compete in Group J along with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
Argentina is set to commence group play on June 16 against Algeria, with the match beginning at 9 p.m. ET.
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