Lionel Messi left the field with an apparent thigh problem during Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union on Sunday night.
The Miami captain was substituted in the 73rd minute after grabbing the top of his left thigh shortly after a free kick. Messi immediately pointed to the bench before being replaced by Matteo Silvetti.
The 39-year-old emerged unaided and headed straight down the tunnel at the Nou Stadium.
“As far as I know, we don’t have a report on it yet, but it was really exhausting. It was exhaustion,” Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the match.
“Yes, it was fatigue. He was tired, the field was heavy, and instead of doubting, you always say don’t risk it.”
Hoyos added that he had not yet spoken to Messi after the match.
Inter Miami rose in the first half with eight goals
Messi’s substitution overshadowed a brilliant game that featured a high-scoring first half Multilateral date.
Philadelphia led 2-0 thanks to a Milan Iloski double, before German Berteram converted Messi’s cross to reduce the gap.
Al-Ittihad regained the two-goal advantage when Bruno Damiani scored after Inter Miami goalkeeper Dane St. Clair was tackled and dropped into his path.
But Inter Miami responded, as Luis Suarez scored a goal before Berteram scored another goal and Suarez added another goal to turn the match upside down.
Philadelphia equalized before halftime after a VAR review ruled that Sergio Reguilon handled the ball in the penalty area, allowing Iloski to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
The second half was played in heavy rain and opportunities were limited, but Suarez completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute before Rodrigo De Paul added Miami’s sixth goal.
Argentina is sweating over Messi’s fitness ahead of the World Cup
The result left Inter Miami in second place in the American League East with 31 points, two points behind leaders Nashville, before the league’s World Cup break.
Attention will now turn to Messi’s fitness ahead of the World Cup, with defending champions Argentina starting their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16.
Argentina has yet to officially announce its World Cup squad, but Messi is widely expected to be included if he is fit.
