Lionel Messi has muscle fatigue in his left hamstring and has not torn the muscle in a major boost for Argentina and World Cup organisers.

Messi limped off clutching the back of his left leg during Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia on Sunday, leading to concerns that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s participation at the World Cup could be at risk.

But a Miami statement offered good news and Messi should be available for Argentina’s opener against Algeria on June 16.

The statement read: “Inter Miami CF’s captain had to leave the field yesterday, Sunday, May 24, during the match against Philadelphia Union, due to physical discomfort.

“After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.

“The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.”

Argentina have two warm-up games, against Honduras and Iceland, but Messi will not be risked if he is not 100% fit.

What was the reaction after the game?

Interim Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos said Messi was “fatigued” on a pitch made heavy by rain.

“Rather than doubt, you always say ​not to take ​the risk,” added Hoyos, who saw Luis Suarez hit a hat-trick, German Berterame score twice and Rodrigo De Paul net another on a scoresheet dominated by South American forwards.

“I tried to see how he was doing after the game but did not see him in the locker room,” said team-mate Mateo Silvetti. “I don’t know if he was with the medical staff or went home.

“At the moment he went off, we were all concentrating on the game, so I wasn’t thinking about if it was for an injury or because he was tired.”

Argentina’s World Cup schedule

Messi’s issue occurred three weeks before Argentina’s opening match of the tournament against Algeria.

Should they win their group, Argentina’s last-32 match will be in Miami on July 3.

Argentina’s initial World Cup schedule looks like this. Kick-off times with an asterisk denote the previous day.

Lionel Messi stats, injury history

Two-time MLS Player of the Year Messi has produced a remarkable total of 12 goals and eight assists in 14 league matches this season.

With 116 goals in 198 appearances for Argentina, Messi has 60 more goals than the next-highest scorer for his country, Gabriel Batistuta.

Miami and Argentina have missed Messi for a total of 30 matches through injury since September 2023, most notably when he was ruled out for two months with an ankle injury suffered during Argentina’s win over Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final.

Who could Argentina replace Lionel Messi with?

While many regard Messi’s abilities as irreplaceable, the good news for Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni is that he has potent attacking options if the skipper is unavailable.

Scaloni had yet to name his squad for the finals when Miami played their final game before the World Cup, but Julian Alvarez is likely to be a starter, having contributed 20 goals and nine assists in 49 appearances for Atletico Madrid this season, finding the net 10 times and setting up four goals across 15 games in the Champions League.

Lautaro Martinez scored 22 goals in 41 games for Inter and the likes of Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and former Atleti schemer De Paul offer ample creative supply behind the forward line.

Argentina did, however, draw a blank in their last competitive match without Messi, losing 1-0 in Ecuador in World Cup qualifying in September.