Messi has fans concerned after appearing uncomfortable in the closing stages of Inter Miami’s latest win. The risk of the 38-year-old superstar being absent from Argentina’s squad call-up next September is becoming more likely.
During the match at Chase Stadium, Messi only came on in the second half, having just recovered from a muscle injury that had kept him out of the previous two games. Although not yet at peak fitness, the Argentine star immediately made an impact. In the 86th minute, he scored to make it 2-1, then delivered a precise assist for Luis Suarez to seal a 3-1 win for Inter Miami.
Messi continues to deliver outstanding performances whenever he is on the pitch (Photo: GOAL)
With this goal, Messi has now scored 19 times in the MLS this season, reaching a career total of 875 goals in 1,116 professional matches—an unprecedented achievement in the history of world football.
However, this joy was quickly overshadowed by concern. Images of Messi touching his leg and seeming uneasy in the closing moments have sparked questions about his actual physical condition. In the last minutes, Messi stood near the sideline waiting for the final whistle and immediately headed down the tunnel afterward.
In the context of Argentina preparing to begin their South American World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign against Venezuela and Ecuador in September, any signs of injury from the captain leave fans holding their breath.
Notably, since the aforementioned concerns about Messi’s recurring injury, there have been no further updates regarding the Argentine superstar’s condition. It’s possible that the issue he experienced isn’t too serious.
Images of Messi clutching his knee have worried supporters
Immediately after the match, coach Javier Mascherano reassured the public: “Messi is not yet at 100%. We will continue to monitor him tomorrow. It’s just a minor issue, nothing too alarming. Over the last three training sessions, he’s shown clear improvement. What matters most is how Messi feels each day when he wakes up.” He also revealed more about his player’s determination: “Leo always wants to play, he even wanted to be on the pitch against Orlando. We had to remind him to take care of himself, but Messi knows his body better than anyone.”
Losing their brightest star, Lionel Messi, is set to be a major challenge as the match schedule becomes increasingly packed, raising big questions about whether Messi can maintain the fitness needed to contribute both to his club and the national team.
It remains uncertain whether Messi will recover in time to join Argentina in September. For now, everything is still up in the air, and fans can only wait for official updates from the medical staff. If he doesn’t recover in time, Argentina may lose their key leader for the upcoming two World Cup 2026 qualifying matches.
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