MIAMI (AP) \u2014 Inter Miami confirmed Monday that Lionel Messi has a left hamstring issue, one that has popped up about a week before defending World Cup champion Argentina is set to begin its training camp for this summer\u2019s title defense.<\/p>\n
And the events of Sunday and Monday surely add at least a bit of intrigue to Argentina\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n
Messi underwent testing on Monday \u2014 which almost certainly means an MRI exam, though the team did not divulge what procedures were involved \u2014 and was ultimately diagnosed with \u201can overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring\u201d that kept him from finishing Inter Miami\u2019s match on Sunday night.<\/p>\n
Typically, the timeframe for recovery from such issues is varied depending on the severity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress,\u201d Inter Miami said in a release.<\/p>\n
Messi was subbed out of Inter Miami\u2019s match against the Philadelphia Union in the 73rd minute on Sunday. He essentially stopped playing a couple of minutes earlier and was seen grabbing at the back of his left leg at least once before he could be removed for a sub.<\/p>\n
Messi walked off the field without any assistance and went directly to the team\u2019s locker room. Inter Miami, the defending MLS champion, won the game 6-4 and Messi had a pair of assists in the first half.<\/p>\n
Heavy rain fell during the second half, leaving the field slippery. It was unknown if Messi took a misstep at any point during the storm or if the conditions were involved in the decision for him to leave the match. All the team said Monday was he was subbed out because of \u201cphysical discomfort.\u201d<\/p>\n
Argentina has a pair of friendlies scheduled in advance of the World Cup, first on June 6 in College Station, Texas, against Honduras and then on June 9 in Auburn, Alabama, against Iceland. Those games will be played in college football stadiums \u2014 the home fields of Texas A&M and Auburn \u2014 with a combined capacity of about 180,000.<\/p>\n
Argentina is in Group J for the World Cup. Its group stage matches: Algeria, at Kansas City, on June 16; Austria, at Arlington, Texas, on June 22; and Jordan, back in Arlington, on June 27.<\/p>\n
Messi has already appeared in five World Cups, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament\u2019s best player twice \u2014 first in 2014, then again in 2022 when he led Argentina to the title. That award has been given out only since 1982, but he is the lone player to win it twice.<\/p>\n
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