Messi's Hamstring Fatigue Raises World Cup Concerns

Lionel Messi, the 38-year-old Argentine superstar and current player for Inter Miami, has been diagnosed with left hamstring fatigue, creating uncertainty about his return to the field. The injury occurred during Inter Miami's 6-4 victory over Philadelphia, where Messi exited the match in the 73rd minute, appearing to grab his left leg.

Following the match, he underwent further medical tests on Monday, which indicated an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. Inter Miami's statement provided little indication of Messi's recovery timeline, noting that his return to physical activity will depend on clinical functional progress.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, is preparing to defend Argentina's World Cup title, with the tournament set to kick off on June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Argentina's first match is scheduled for June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.

Messi's management of his workload has been a focus since joining Inter Miami in 2023.