Messi asks for a substitution and walks off, feeling his hamstring weeks forward of Argentina’s World Cup title defence.
When Lionel Messi requested a substitution within the 72nd minute of Inter Miami’s Main League Soccer (MLS) sport in opposition to Philadelphia Union, soccer followers held their collective breath as hypothesis grew in regards to the star ahead’s participation within the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The 38-year-old, who has missed just one sport for his membership throughout this ongoing MLS season, walked off the pitch within the 73rd minute because the defending champions accomplished a 6-4 win at residence on Sunday.
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With Argentina starting their World Cup marketing campaign in three weeks, Messi’s obvious health concern may deal a severe blow to the crew’s World Cup title defence.
Right here’s what we learn about Messi’s substitution and health to date:
What occurred to Messi throughout Miami vs Philadelphia?
After offering two assists within the MLS champions’ final residence fixture earlier than the World Cup, Messi stood near the sidelines on the midway mark on the pitch within the closing third of the sport.
He gestured to the Miami camp, asking to come back off the pitch, whereas feeling the again of his left leg.
In the course of the look ahead to the fourth official to place up the substitutions board together with his quantity 10 on it, Messi didn’t transfer round a lot and wore a involved look.
The membership captain was changed by Mateo Silvetti within the 73rd minute, and when he got here off, Messi instantly left for the dressing room through the tunnel. Tunnel cameras confirmed him strolling in with none help, albeit slowly, and never within the presence of crew medical personnel.
Did Messi get injured earlier than the World Cup?
Whereas the Miami striker didn’t limp off the sphere or present any important indicators of discomfort, his resolution to name for a substitution after having performed 90 minutes in all MLS video games prior to now month raised issues.
Moreover, Messi selected to not sit together with his teammates on the Miami bench and as a substitute walked in direction of the dressing room, including gas to the theories about his health.
What have Inter Miami stated about Messi?
Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos stated after the sport that it was too early to find out if Messi was injured, and steered the Argentinian’s substitution was precautionary as a result of pitch situations.
“So far as I do know, we don’t have a [medical] report on that but, however we can have one shortly,” Hoyos stated after the sport.
He chalked up Messi’s exit to “fatigue” and an general customary strategy of not taking any dangers.
Teammate Silvetti stated he was simply as clueless about Messi strolling off. “We’re hoping it seems to be nothing severe. Given his mindset and all the things else, we’re going to want him the easiest.”
The MLS membership’s match recap on their social media accounts boasts Luis Suarez’s hat-trick and birthday boy Rodrigo De Paul’s aim amongst different match highlights, however makes no point out of Messi being subbed off, nor does it deal with his harm scare.
Messi has fastidiously managed his workload since becoming a member of Inter Miami in 2023, with crew employees commonly excusing him from video games throughout notably congested fixture intervals.
He has spent a number of stints on the sidelines prior to now few years because of issues together with his hamstring, which prompted him to overlook elements of Miami’s preseason marketing campaign earlier this yr.
Will Messi play for Argentina on the World Cup?
Messi has stated prior to now that he would play within the World Cup provided that he have been wholesome and match. Whereas he has not formally confirmed plans to play, he’s extensively anticipated to return for what shall be a record-equalling sixth look on the event.
Argentina’s squad is because of be named subsequent week, and the South American giants will head to america shortly afterwards for pre-World Cup friendlies in opposition to Honduras in Texas on June 6, adopted by a match in opposition to Iceland on June 9.
Any important harm to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, although, would deal an enormous blow to Argentina’s hopes of defending their World Cup crown. They open their marketing campaign in opposition to Algeria on June 16, adopted by Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.
Was this Messi’s final MLS match?
No matter a possible harm or not, this was Messi’s final MLS match because the US league goes on a seven-week break to permit gamers to organize for worldwide obligation.
Matches will resume on July 16, simply three days earlier than the World Cup closing.
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