'Tired' Messi exits MLS game in injury scare ahead of World Cup / Photo: CHANDAN KHANNA - AFP
-
Liverpool sign Barcola from PSG for reported £124 million
-
Man City sign Palmeiras winger Allan on five-year deal
-
Putin, Xi, Iran's Pezeshkian in Kyrgyzstan for summit
-
More flooding feared at Grand Canyon after storm leaves 15 missing
-
Fully Permitted Tanzanian Gold Project Clears Path to Construction as Financing, EPCM Fall in Place (LVGLF)
-
RedHill Divests Talicia® to Apotex for $18 Million Cash Upfront Plus Milestones to Fuel Strategic Growth Opportunities
-
EdWealth Announces MoneyBench Benchmark Comparing AI Money Answers From Ed, ChatGPT and Gemini
-
MEXC Data: BTC Breaks $80,000, Major-Asset Spot Trading Volume Surges 300%
-
Root says new balls behind batsmen's struggles in England
-
G20 finance talks open as US seeks to ramp up pressure on Iran
-
Swollen rivers, washed-out roads hamper Nepal rescue effort
-
Solving Agent Sprawl: The Case for Enterprise Orchestration
-
In France's north, winegrowers bet on a warmer future
-
Springboks switch Kolbe to full-back for third All Blacks Test
-
Deadly virus stalks South Africa's sardines
-
Malaysia's Sarawak eyes cloud seeding as haze worsens
-
South Korea women's football body probes 'period' insult
-
World leaders need to see rising oceans in Pacific: UN official
-
Transitional Fashion Essentials for Autumn: Key Pieces from M&S and Joe Browns
-
Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Leak Suggests 12.5-Inch Display and Massive Battery
-
China's Xi and Iran's Pezeshkian in Kyrgyzstan, Putin expected
-
UK Homeowners Advised to Use Peppermint Tea Bags to Deter Spiders
-
Rescuers hunt for missing after deadly N.Cyprus ferry accident
-
Nepal toll surges as rescuers struggle through 'unimaginable' disaster
-
Ethiopia's Abiy could consolidate power as 'executive president'
-
Mauled Australian swimmer recalls punching shark
-
Crude prices rise on US-Iran strikes, equities mixed after Warsh remarks
-
Passengers stranded overnight by Kenya airport strike
-
South Korea court gives Unification Church leader 2 years prison
-
Nepal recovers bodies but presses on for trapped tunnel workers
-
US hosts G20 finance talks with growth, Iran pressure on agenda
-
Grand Canyon flash flood leaves one dead, around 15 missing
-
African players in Europe: Wissa flick seals Newcastle victory
-
Venus Williams falls at first hurdle in US Open
-
Venice film preview: Clooney, Oasis and Musk
-
At least five leaders skip annual Pacific Islands summit
-
Poorly Djokovic crashes out of US Open first round
-
I.Coast home-hunters' saga highlights Africa housing crunch
-
Djokovic falls in US Open first round, earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years
-
At least five leaders to skip annual Pacific Islands summit
-
Chinese guitar capital's stairway to export heaven
-
Latest developments in the US-Iran war
-
Stocks drop as Warsh fans US rate hike bets, crude up on US-Iran strikes
-
Nepal buries dead as rescuers seek thousands missing
-
Injuries cloud tennis as US Open gets under way
-
From Montecito to the Cotswolds: Harry and Meghan eye new UK home
-
Iran retaliates after first US strikes in a month
-
Russia's Putin and China's Xi to attend summit in Kyrgyzstan
-
Itauma says 'I'll be back' after bruising heavyweight title loss
-
John Ternus to lead Apple into the age of AI
'Tired' Messi exits MLS game in injury scare ahead of World Cup
Lionel Messi was at the center of an injury scare just weeks before the start of the World Cup on Sunday after abruptly exiting Inter Miami's Major League Soccer clash against the Philadelphia Union.
Argentina superstar Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute at a rain-soaked Nu Stadium in Miami after clutching the back of his left leg and requesting to come off.
The 38-year-old icon appeared to be walking normally as he headed straight down the tunnel after exiting the game, which Miami went on to win 6-4.
Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game it was too early to determine if Messi was injured, and suggested the Argentine's substitution was precautionary due to the pitch conditions.
"As far as I know, we don't have a (medical) report on that yet, but we will have one shortly," Hoyos said after the game when asked for details of Messi's condition.
"He was genuinely suffering from fatigue in that regard -- it is indeed fatigue.
"He was tired; the pitch was heavy and when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you don't take any risks."
Messi has carefully managed his workload since joining Inter Miami in 2023, with team staff regularly excusing him from games during particularly congested fixture periods.
He has spent multiple stints on the sidelines in the past few years due to problems with his hamstring, which caused him to miss parts of Miami's pre-season campaign earlier this year.
Any significant injury to the eight-time Ballon D'Or winner, though, would deal a huge blow to Argentina's hopes of defending their World Cup crown in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The tournament kicks off in Mexico City on June 11, with Argentina due to play their opening game against Algeria in Kansas City five days later.
Inter Miami's game on Sunday was the last before MLS takes a break ahead of the World Cup.
Messi has not formally confirmed he plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what will be a record-equalling sixth appearance at the finals.
Argentina's squad is due to be named next week, and the South American giants will head to the United States shortly afterwards for pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras in Texas on June 6, followed by a game against Iceland on June 9.
Y.Aukaiv--AMWN