Argentina holds its breath: Messi limps off weeks before World Cup defence

Just weeks before Argentina begin the defence of their World Cup crown, there is growing concern surrounding the fitness of Lionel Messi.

The Inter Miami captain was forced off during Sunday night's chaotic 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union after appearing to suffer an injury to the back of his leg. Messi walked toward the touchline in the 73rd minute, requested a substitution, and immediately headed down the tunnel, visibly uncomfortable as he grabbed at his hamstring.

The timing could hardly be worse. The match marked Inter Miami's final MLS fixture before the league pauses for six weeks due to the World Cup, with Messi now expected to join Argentina’s national team camp in the coming days - assuming the issue proves minor.

Inter Miami did not release an official diagnosis after the match, although interim coach Guillermo Hoyos attempted to calm fears during his post-match press conference, suggesting the problem may not be serious.

Even without their talisman for the closing stages, Miami still completed one of the wildest victories in MLS history. Luis Suarez completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute before Messi's Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul sealed the 6-4 win deep into stoppage time.

Still, all attention now shifts toward Messi's condition.

This is the second consecutive World Cup overshadowed by concerns over the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's fitness. Back in 2022, Messi arrived in Qatar after struggling with Achilles inflammation during his time at Paris Saint-Germain, only to go on and play every single minute of Argentina's triumphant campaign.

Argentina enter the tournament as defending world champions and have been drawn alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage. Their World Cup journey begins on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, while warm-up friendlies against Honduras and Iceland are also scheduled before the tournament starts.

At 38 years old, Messi remains central to Argentina's hopes. The Inter Miami star is coming off back-to-back MLS MVP awards and has produced another outstanding campaign, recording 13 goals and seven assists in just 16 appearances this season. His recent form has been especially devastating, with five goals and seven assists across his last five matches alone.

Few players in football history have carried a nation's expectations quite like Messi. With 116 goals in 198 appearances for Argentina, the global icon is once again expected to lead the reigning champions into battle - provided this latest injury scare proves nothing more than a brief interruption.