Inter Miami confirmed on May 26 that Lionel Messi is dealing with a left thigh issue, specifically diagnosed as 'overload combined with fatigue of the hamstring.' The problem surfaced about a week before Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, begin their training camp ahead of this summer's tournament.
Messi underwent tests on Monday (May 26), including an MRI, which led to the diagnosis. Earlier, during Inter Miami's MLS match against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday night (May 25), he was substituted in the 73rd minute. Messi had grabbed the back of his left leg several times before leaving the pitch under his own power and heading straight to the locker room. Inter Miami won the match 6-4, with Messi providing two assists in the first half.
'His return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress,' Inter Miami stated. Typically, recovery times for similar injuries vary widely depending on severity.
Argentina has two international friendlies before the World Cup: against Honduras on June 6 in College Station, Texas, and against Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, Alabama, held at college football stadiums of Texas A&M and Auburn universities. In the World Cup, Argentina is in Group J, facing Algeria on June 16 (Kansas City), Austria on June 22 (Arlington, Texas), and Jordan on June 27 (Arlington).
Messi has played in five World Cups, winning the Golden Ball for best player twice: first in 2014 and again in 2022 when he led Argentina to the title. He is the only player to win the award twice since it was introduced in 1982.
