Lionel Messi's MLS Exit Sparks World Cup Concerns

Lionel Messi walked off into the Miami night with his left leg in his own hands and a World Cup on the horizon.

On a soaked pitch against Philadelphia Union, three weeks before Argentina begin the defence of their world title, the 38-year-old asked to come off in the 73rd minute, clutching the back of his left leg. The stadium fell silent for a moment. Inter Miami were winning a wild, rain-lashed game 6-4, but every eye followed their No. 10 as he headed straight down the tunnel.

No stretcher. No visible limp. Just Messi, walking normally, disappearing from view with a nation about to hold its breath.

This was his final MLS appearance before flying to join Argentina for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where La Albiceleste open on 16 June against Algeria in Group J. The timing of any physical issue, however minor, could hardly be more delicate.

Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos moved quickly to calm the storm.

“As far as I know, we don't have a [medical] report on that yet, but he really was fatigued,” Hoyos said after the match. The rain had turned the Miami surface heavy, the kind of pitch that saps legs and invites trouble. “He was tired; the pitch was heavy and when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you don't take any risks.”

So the decision was made: no gamble, not with a player who has already carried one World Cup on his back and is about to chase another.

Messi’s history only sharpens the anxiety. In November 2022, an inflamed Achilles at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) threatened to derail his Qatar campaign before it even began. He managed the pain, played every minute of that World Cup, and dragged Argentina to their third global crown with a tournament for the ages.

Now comes another shot at history. Argentina will name their 2026 World Cup squad later this week, and Messi is poised to make a record-equalling sixth appearance at the finals. At 38, every sprint, every touch, every grimace is scrutinised.

On this wet Florida night, the scoreboard said 6-4 and the coach insisted it was precaution, nothing more.

The real verdict will come when Messi pulls on the Argentina shirt again, with the world watching to see if the greatest of his era can carry his country one last time.