Lionel Messi sparked concerns over his World Cup participation when he made an early exit from Inter Miami's clash on Sunday night. Argentina has not yet named its squad for this summer's World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, Messi is widely expected to be part of the defending champions' roster.
Yet, the 38-year-old's hopes of competing in one final World Cup may have taken a hit during Inter Miami's final MLS matchup before the break for the soccer tournament. The forward's break for the World Cup came a touch earlier than expected when he exited in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami's 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Messi had two assists and German Berterame scored twice during a record-setting first half for Inter Miami. But Messi essentially took himself out of play in the 71st minute when he reached toward his left hamstring at least once. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner didn't even venture toward the Inter Miami bench when he was subbed out for Mateo Silvetti. Instead, he headed immediately down the tunnel to the locker room. Messi was walking under his own power, albeit slowly, and without any team medical personnel with him.
Heavy rain began falling early in the second half, causing some players to seem to slip on the turf. It wasn't clear if Messi's departure was precautionary or not, and it didn't seem like he took any major missteps during the worst of the rain. His international teammate Rodrigo De Paul, on his birthday, went on to score in stoppage time to seal the win for Inter Miami.
Messi has said in the past that he would only play in the World Cup if healthy. Argentina starts group stage play on June 16. Messi has already appeared in five World Cups, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player twice - first in 2014, then again in 2022 when he led Argentina to the title. That award has been given out only since 1982, but he is the lone player to win it twice.
Argentina is in Group J for the World Cup. Its group stage matches: Algeria, at Kansas City, on June 16; Austria, at Arlington, Texas, on June 22; and Jordan, back in Arlington, on June 27. If Argentina wins that group - and the defending champions would be heavily favored to do so - then Messi would play a Round of 32 match in Miami Gardens on July 3. The only other way for Messi to play in South Florida during the tournament would be if Argentina is in the third-place match on July 18.
