Lionel Messi Suffers an Injury While Representing Inter Miami, Argentina is Anxious Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Tuesday, 26 May 2026 | 16:30

Author: Arif S

Kapten Inter Miami dan tim nasional Argentina, Lionel Messi.
Source: Antaranews/MLS

Summary

1. Lionel Messi sparked concern across Argentina after suffering a minor injury while representing Inter Miami CF against Philadelphia Union in an MLS match

2. Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute due to muscle fatigue, despite delivering an impressive performance that included one assist during Inter Miami's dramatic 6-4 win

3. Messi's physical condition remains a critical factor for the Argentina national team in their efforts to defend the World Cup title

Concern has swept the Argentine public after the La Albiceleste captain, Lionel Messi, suffered an injury during the Major League Soccer (MLS) fixture between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union in Miami, early Monday WIB. This incident occurred just weeks before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup.

Messi was substituted off in the 73rd minute for Mateo Silvetti, after he displayed signs of physical discomfort during the match.

This moment immediately ignited anxiety among Argentine supporters, who continue to pin their hopes on the megastar leading the Albiceleste to defend their world champion title.

Inter Miami honors Lionel Messi by naming stadium after active player

Lionel Messi Doesn't Want to Be a Burden for Argentina at 2026 World Cup, Chooses to Evaluate Physical Condition

Lionel Messi Hasn't Stopped Collecting Titles, Shows Off Three Trophies in One MLS Season

For Argentina, Messi's fitness is always the primary concern. The 38-year-old is not only the team captain, but also the face of the Golden Generation that delivered Argentina the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar.

As of this reporting, the Argentine Football Association has not yet published their official 2026 World Cup squad, however Messi remains the cornerstone of head coach Lionel Scaloni's plans.

Argentina will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on 16 June against Algeria in Kansas, United States of America. The defending champions are drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan.

Against rising public unease, Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos moved to calm tensions.

He confirmed Messi has only suffered a minor muscle fatigue injury.

Hoyos further explained that the decision to withdraw Messi from the pitch was taken as a precaution to avoid more serious damage ahead of this year's largest international Football tournament.

Prior to leaving the field, Messi put in a strong performance. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner registered one assist that set off Inter Miami's scoring run in the eventual 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union.

Messi's delivery was finished by Germán Berterame for Inter Miami's opening goal in the 13th minute. Berterame went on to score his second of the match in the 42nd minute.

Alongside Berterame, Luis Suárez produced a lethal display with a hat-trick in the 29th, 44th and 81st minutes. Rodrigo De Paul added one final goal for Inter Miami during stoppage time.

Philadelphia Union mounted a fierce challenge, with Milan Iloski netting a hat-trick and Bruno Damiani scoring one additional goal for the away side.

Ultimately the match finished with victory for Inter Miami, in what will go down as one of the most dramatic MLS fixtures of the season.

Quick Answer

Lionel Messi Inter Miami Injury Sparks Argentina Anxiety Ahead Of 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami's 6-4 MLS win over Philadelphia Union with minor muscle fatigue. This precautionary withdrawal has sparked widespread anxiety across Argentina, as Messi remains the cornerstone of the nation's 2026 World Cup title defence plans.

Messi was withdrawn in the 73rd minute against Philadelphia Union due to muscle fatigue
The substitution was made as a precaution to avoid serious injury ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Messi registered 1 assist before being substituted in Inter Miami's dramatic 6-4 victory
Argentina remains fully reliant on Messi's fitness to defend their World Cup title

Lionel Messi has sparked widespread anxiety across Argentina after suffering minor muscle fatigue while playing for Inter Miami, just weeks before the nation begins their 2026 World Cup title defence. The 38-year-old captain was substituted in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami's MLS fixture against Philadelphia Union, in a move confirmed as a precautionary measure.

Match performance before withdrawal

Before leaving the pitch, Messi delivered a strong showing, registering the assist that opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 13th minute. This set the tone for an unusually high-scoring fixture, which eventually finished 6-4 to the home side.

Alongside Messi's contribution, Germán Berterame scored twice, Luis Suárez recorded a hat-trick, and Rodrigo De Paul added a late stoppage time goal for Inter Miami. Philadelphia Union responded with a hat-trick from Milan Iloski and one further goal, making this one of the most dramatic matches of the current MLS season.

Fitness update and World Cup outlook

Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos moved quickly to calm public concern, confirming that Messi had only experienced minor muscle fatigue. No serious damage was detected, and the substitution was made entirely to protect the player ahead of the upcoming international tournament.

For Argentina, Messi's physical condition remains the single highest priority ahead of the World Cup. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is the undisputed cornerstone of head coach Lionel Scaloni's plans, having led the nation to World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022.

Argentina will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on 16 June against Algeria, drawn in Group J alongside Austria and Jordan. As of publication, the official tournament squad has not yet been announced by the Argentine Football Association.