Lionel Messi has suffered a major injury scare less than a month before the World Cup after being forced to leave the field with a hamstring problem. Messi was seen clutching his leg during Inter Miami's 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday and was substituted in the 73rd minute, heading directly to the locker room tunnel.

Argentina must now wait with uncertainty to learn the extent of the issue, as the 38-year-old risks missing what appears to be his final World Cup.

“I tried to see how he was. I have the same doubts as everyone else,” said Inter Miami head coach Mateo Silvetti after the match.

This marks the first time Messi has been substituted for Miami this season, having played every minute of his 14 appearances, in which he has recorded 12 goals and seven assists. Since his arrival in the U.S. in 2023, he has rarely faced prolonged injury spells in MLS (Major League Soccer), with his longest absence being a two-month period during the summer of 2024. However, Messi has experienced hamstring issues on at least two other occasions during his three-year tenure in Miami.

Messi was the key figure in Argentina's 2022 World Cup glory, scoring seven goals—including a brace in the memorable final against France—which earned him the tournament's Golden Ball. Previously, he had stated that he would only participate in this summer's World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico if he remained in good health.

“I would like to be there. I want to feel good and be an important factor in helping my national team, if I am there,” he said last October.

“I’m going to evaluate that day by day when the preseason starts next year with Inter, and I’ll see if I can truly be at 100%. I am very excited because it’s the World Cup,” he continued.

“We are coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend the title on the field is spectacular because it is always a dream to play for the national team, especially in official competitions, so I hope God allows me to do it once more,” he concluded.