Lionel Messi asked to be substituted during Inter Miami's game on Sunday, heading straight to the locker room with an apparent leg injury just over two weeks before the FIFA World Cup kicks off.
The 38-year-old legend grabbed the back of his leg and walked off the pitch under his own power in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami's match against the Philadelphia Union in the rain in Miami.
Season Stats With Inter Miami
Messi has recorded 12 goals and five assists in 13 games with Inter Miami this season. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has spent the past four seasons in Major League Soccer after an illustrious 17-year career with Barcelona in La Liga and a two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain in France's Ligue 1.
World Cup History
On the international stage, Messi's 21 combined goals and assists in FIFA World Cup history are tied with Brazilian legend Pelé for the most in tournament history. He holds the record for most goals in Argentina's World Cup history with 13.
Messi won the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he scored seven goals—including two in the thrilling final that propelled Argentina to its first World Cup title since 1986 and third overall.
Argentina's 2026 World Cup Schedule
Argentina will play its first match at the 2026 tournament on June 16 against Algeria as part of Group J.