Before the start of the World Cup... Messi is injured

The Argentine national football team received a boost of concern just weeks before the start of the 2026 World Cup after their captain, Lionel Messi, was forced to leave Inter Miami's match against Philadelphia Union in the MLS due to a sudden injury. The thrilling match, which ended in a 6-4 victory for Inter Miami, witnessed a moment that sparked worries within the Argentine camp when Messi requested to be substituted in the 72nd minute. He then headed straight to the locker room without continuing the game, raising questions about his physical readiness for the highly anticipated global tournament. Although the American club did not release an official statement clarifying the nature of the injury, coach Guillermo Hoyos attempted to downplay the concerns, asserting that the player felt physically fatigued due to the intense pace of the match and preferred not to risk keeping him on the field. The Argentine star's injury came on a night of frantic attacking play that saw a total of ten goals scored, with striker Luis Suarez stealing the show by scoring a crucial hat-trick that led Inter Miami to victory in the final minutes. The situation is becoming increasingly sensitive for fans of the "Tango Dancers," especially as the Argentinian national team prepares to defend its world title in Group J, which includes Algeria, Jordan, and Austria. Their opening match will be against Algeria on June 17th. This upcoming World Cup also holds special significance, as it is likely to be Messi's final appearance in the biggest tournament for national teams, after his name became synonymous with an exceptional history with the Argentinian national team, culminating in leading them to the 2022 Qatar World Cup title.