Lionel Messi suffers huge injury scare in final Inter Miami match before World Cup

Lionel Messi sparked concerns of a possible injury during his final club appearance before the World Cup.

The 38-year-old asked to be substituted in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami's frantic 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union and headed straight down the tunnel after he exited the pitch.

Messi had been spotted walking around the pitch at a slow pace before he rolled his shorts up and asked to be substituted. He appeared to feel something in his left leg and touched the back of it before he walked over to the bench to speak with club staff.

He was shortly replaced by Mateo Silvetti with the score level at 4-4. Speaking after the game, Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos admitted it was still too soon to gauge the severity of the scare and stated his side did not want to take any risks with their talisman.

Despite his age, it is extremely unusual for Messi to be taken off during a match. He had played the entirety of Inter Miami's previous 13 league matches this season, as well as two CONCACAF Champions League clashes and one of Argentina's friendlies in March.

"We still don’t have information about this, but soon we’ll have it. He’s tired," Hoyos said after the win. "Fatigue. He was tired. The field was heavy, right? When faced with doubt, you always try not to take risks."

Messi was playing in the final Inter Miami match before the MLS takes an extended break for the World Cup in North America this summer. The Barcelona legend is set to captain Argentina as they look to defend the title they won in Qatar back in 2022.

Lionel Scaloni's side will face Honduras in a friendly match on 6 June, before they face Iceland in their final warm-up match on 9 June. The Albiceleste begin their World Cup defence against Algeria, before they face Austria and Jordan in their other group-stage matches.

Messi's fitness situation is set to dominate much of the pre-tournament build-up for Argentina in what is expected to be his final major international tournament.

The legendary forward will turn 39 next month, but remains as influential as ever at club level. He has scored 13 goals and notched 7 assists in 16 appearances this season, registering two assists in the 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union before his fitness scare.