Inter Miami defeated the Philadelphia Union 6-4 at the Nu Stadium for the final league matchday before the start of the 2026 World Cup.
Lionel Messi started the match and provided two assists in the victory, but the biggest concern following the match was Messi walking off the pitch with an apparent injury.
Messi was taken off in the 73rd minute and was seen holding the back of his left leg. Messi walked off the pitch and went straight to the locker room.
(Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images) / ALTERNATE CROP
This substitution concerns many fans as the World Cup is less than three weeks away, and the Argentina World Cup squad is set to be revealed this week.
Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos addressed Messi walking off the pitch in the post-match press conference and gave a brief update on the Argentine star.
Is Lionel Messi Injured?
According to Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos, there is yet to be an official medical report on Messi's condition following the match against the Philadelphia Union.
Hoyos also mentions that Messi was fatigued, which could have influenced the player to request being substituted off.
Hoyos said, "We still don’t have the final medical report, but Leo was fatigued and tired at that moment, and because of the fatigue, we didn’t want to take any risks
Hoyos insists that Messi did not communicate with him whether he is injured or not. More details are set to be revealed this week.
Reliable Argentine journalist Gaston Edul reports that Messi does not have a muscular injury and that Messi requested the substitution as a precaution.
