Messi substituted vs Philadelphia with left hamstring tightness; Inter Miami coach calls it 'fatigue' ahead of Argentina

Lionel Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami’s chaotic draw with the Philadelphia Union after signalling discomfort in his left hamstring; coach Guillermo Hoyos described the problem as "fatigue" in his post-match comments. The incident happened on May 24, and comes with Argentina's 2026 World Cup training camp due to begin in early June, making Messi’s condition a matter of immediate interest.

Why it matters

Messi is expected to join Argentina’s pre-tournament preparations, and any hamstring concern ahead of a World Cup campaign is closely monitored for risk of withdrawal or missed preparation time. With Argentina scheduling a training camp that opens June 1 and friendly matches on June 6 and June 9, the timing of the discomfort — and the decision to remove him as a precaution — has immediate implications for his match readiness.

What happened in the match

According to the match report, Messi produced two first-half assists before feeling lower-body discomfort in the second half. In the 71st minute he approached the touchline to signal for a substitution, and Mateo Silvetti entered the game in the 73rd minute for Messi, who was observed clutching his left hamstring as he left the field.

Hoyos: 'Fatigue' and a precautionary choice

Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos said a medical report was pending but characterised Messi’s exit as fatigue rather than a clear structural injury. Hoyos told reporters: 'As far as I know, we don't have a medical report on that yet. We will have one shortly, but he was truly fatigued in that regard.' He added that the pitch was heavy and that the decision was taken to avoid risk.

Additional reporting and early indications

Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, cited in the report, said Messi asked to be substituted as a precaution after feeling tightness and an overload in his left hamstring and that there was no structural muscle tear. The report frames Edul as a national team insider who believes the decision was to protect Messi’s summer workload ahead of Argentina’s World Cup defence.

• Messi substituted in the 73rd minute after signalling left hamstring discomfort.
• Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos described the issue as fatigue and said a medical report was pending.
• Journalist Gaston Edul reported Messi requested the substitution as a precaution and ruled out a structural tear.
• Argentina’s main World Cup training camp opens June 1; friendly matches are scheduled for June 6 (Honduras) and June 9 (Iceland) per the source.

Context: Argentina’s pre-World Cup schedule

The report states Argentina will start its primary training camp on June 1 in Kansas City, with European-based players joining earlier in late May for preliminary sessions at Ezeiza. Argentina is due to play friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9 before travelling to their tournament base ahead of their opening World Cup match.

What happens next

A formal medical update from Inter Miami or the Argentina national team has not been supplied in the source material. The immediate next steps, according to the available report, are the club’s medical assessment and Messi joining Argentina’s camp in the coming days. Further verification is needed to confirm his status for Argentina’s June friendlies and full participation in the World Cup build-up.