Lead

Lionel Messi has been diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring by his Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami, after he was substituted during the team's 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday. The diagnosis comes just weeks before Argentina begin their World Cup title defence.

Messi, 38, asked to come off in the 73rd minute after clutching the back of his left leg. He walked off the pitch without assistance and went directly to the tunnel. Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the match that it was too early to determine if Messi was injured, suggesting the substitution was precautionary given the pitch conditions.

Coverage comparison

Al Jazeera reported that Messi requested a substitution and walked off the pitch, and that he has a history of hamstring problems. Multiple Al Jazeera reports detailed the diagnosis of muscle fatigue and the club's statement about his return. One Al Jazeera report also noted that Messi sat out a friendly against Honduras, continuing to manage muscle fatigue and a mild strain.

The Buenos Aires Times reported Messi's exit as an "injury scare" and emphasised his history of hamstring problems, also noting the coach's comments about precautions.

Key claims

According to multiple reports, Messi was diagnosed with "an overload associated with muscle fatigue" in his left hamstring. Inter Miami issued a statement saying: "The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress."

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, speaking to Argentine TV station DSports, said the initial news regarding Messi's fitness is "not that bad" and that further tests will be conducted to see if they confirm the original diagnosis. He added that he had watched the match and been relieved that Messi had asked to come off.

Messi, who has a history of hamstring problems that have kept him out of matches in previous seasons, has been working on "specific exercises" with the physiotherapy team during Argentina's training camp in Kansas City, according to statements from the Argentine Football Association.

Argentina begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. Messi's fitness is seen as a blow to Argentina's hopes of defending their title from 2022.

Perspectives

  • Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos: He described Messi's issue as fatigue, saying the pitch was heavy and that no one wanted to take a risk. He noted there was no medical report immediately after the game.
  • Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni: He expressed cautious optimism, saying initial news is "not that bad" and that tests would confirm the diagnosis. He preferred that nothing had happened, but was relieved Messi had walked off.
  • Inter Miami's statement: The club said Messi's return depends on his clinical and functional progress, without giving a specific timeline.