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Lionel Messi appeared to pick up a leg injury during Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer (MLS) clash against the Philadelphia Union, which ended in a 6-4 win for the Herons. The Argentine superstar was substituted in the 73rd minute after clutching the back of his leg while heading down the tunnel. Moments earlier, Messi had indicated to the bench that he needed to come off and was replaced by Mateo Silvetti with around 20 minutes left on the clock. Argentina’s World Cup training camp is set to begin on June 1.

Fitness concern for Messi

Midway through the second half, Messi appeared to signal for a change and drifted away from the play for a few minutes before finally leaving the field. The Inter Miami and Argentina captain headed straight down the tunnel, visibly holding the back of his leg as he made his way off, raising concerns about a possible muscle issue.

Major worry for Argentina

While the severity of the injury is still unknown, it could turn out to be a significant setback for Argentina, who start their World Cup preparations on June 1. The Albiceleste are scheduled to play two warm-up matches on June 6 and June 9 before kicking off their group stage campaign on June 16. Despite being one of the senior-most players in the squad, Messi continues to be a vital figure for Lionel Scaloni’s team. This tournament is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance.

Thrilling win for Miami

Aside from Messi’s injury scare, the match itself was a rollercoaster and one of the most remarkable games in MLS history. Inter Miami triumphed 6-4 after conceding twice within the opening 10 minutes. Veteran forward Luis Suarez netted a hat-trick, while Messi’s replacement, Mateo Silvetti, made a key contribution by providing a decisive assist and initiating another scoring chance. The result capped off a dramatic win for Miami in their last fixture before the World Cup break. The team’s next match is not scheduled until mid-July.

Messi’s injury record with Miami

Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has largely remained free from serious injuries. After managing calf problems and an ankle sprain in 2024, he enjoyed a mostly healthy 2025 campaign. The Argentine icon started 33 MLS matches and was on the pitch for nearly every available minute that season. He had featured for the full 90 minutes in all 13 of Miami’s MLS games this term prior to this incident.