Lionel Messi is closing in on what would be a record sixth World Cup appearance and even as he approaches his 39th birthday, his influence on the Argentina national soccer team shapes everything Lionel Scaloni's squad does.
His role goes well beyond scoring or creating chances. For a nation preparing to defend its World Cup title, having Messi arrive at the tournament healthy and sharp is everything. That's exactly why what happened on Sunday put the nation’s fans on edge.
During Inter Miami CF's final MLS match before the World Cup break against the Philadelphia Union, Messi appeared uncomfortable in the 73rd minute. He walked toward the sideline, asked to be substituted and headed straight down the tunnel with his hand on the back of his leg.
The match was level at 4-4 at that point and already one of the wildest games the league has seen this season. Miami eventually pulled away for a 6-4 win with Luis Suarez completing a hat trick in the 81st minute and Rodrigo De Paul adding another in stoppage time. But the result was secondary. Everyone was watching the tunnel.
MLS is now entering a six-week pause and Messi is expected to join up with Argentina ahead of World Cup preparations.
Messi's Form Heading Into the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Before the scare, Messi had been putting together a remarkable domestic season. He has 12 goals and eight assists in just 14 MLS matches, and his last five games produced five goals and seven assists, including Sunday's performance.
He became the first player in MLS history to win MVP honors in consecutive seasons. Across 198 appearances for Argentina, he has 116 goals.
At 38, he remains one of the top players in the sport alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. He operates with maximum efficiency, saving his energy for moments that matter while his passing and vision continue to dictate the tempo of matches.
Opposing managers still refuse to leave him single-covered because the threat never goes away. He is also the emotional anchor of Scaloni's locker room for a younger generation of Argentine talent that grew up with Messi posters on their bedroom walls.
Argentina enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as defending champions and was drawn into a group alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
