Lionel Messi limped out of Inter Miami's final Major League Soccer match before the 2026 World Cup after grabbing the back of his leg and coming off in the 73rd minute. His early exit cut through a wild 10-goal shootout that finished 6-4 and sent a nervous ripple through South Florida's soccer scene. With Argentina's squad gathering for pre-tournament prep, the sight of Messi leaving in clear discomfort quickly became the dominant storyline of the night.
Messi heads straight for the locker room
Messi signaled for a substitution after taking a free kick, then clutched the back of his leg on the sideline and left the field in visible discomfort. A video clip and a post from Yahoo Sports showed him heading directly into the tunnel after being replaced in the 73rd minute. The images only added to an already tense night for local supporters and national team staff watching from afar.
Ten-goal chaos ends with De Paul winner
Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union combined for one of the season's most explosive scorelines, with Miami ultimately winning 6-4. Rodrigo De Paul scored in the third minute of stoppage time to secure the result, and Luis Suárez completed a hat trick with an 81st minute goal. All of it unfolded after the match had been tied 4-4 when Messi left the pitch, according to The New York Times. The finish was chaotic, but the scoreboard still broke Miami's way.
MLS hits pause for the World Cup
Major League Soccer is set to pause regular season play for the World Cup after matches on May 24, with league action scheduled to resume in mid July. The league's schedule shows a break from May 25 through July 16 to accommodate the tournament and mandatory player reporting, as outlined by MLSSoccer. That timing leaves only a small window for clubs and national teams to navigate any late injury concerns.
What it means for Argentina's camp
Messi was slated to join Argentina's pre World Cup preparations after the match, including warmup friendlies on June 6 against Honduras at Texas A&M's Kyle Field and on June 9 versus Iceland at Jordan Hare Stadium, before Argentina opens group play on June 16 in Kansas City. Given Messi's strong form this season and his role as captain, any knock is expected to be evaluated closely by both Inter Miami's medical staff and Argentina's staff as they finalize plans, per The New York Times. How he responds to treatment over the next 48 to 72 hours will determine whether he travels to camp on schedule.
Next steps and what fans should watch
There was no immediate official update on Messi's condition after the match. Club and national medical teams typically order scans and follow up exams before confirming a player's availability, and that process is expected here as well. Miami's World Cup break gives teams and federations only a narrow window to handle issues, so for supporters the short term is straightforward: wait for an Inter Miami or Argentina medical bulletin and expect regular updates as tests and treatment continue. For now, Miami keeps the win, and Messi's fitness once again sits at the center of a global conversation.
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