Lionel Messi's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup is under scrutiny after he exited Inter Miami's match against the Philadelphia Union due to an apparent injury scare. The incident occurred in the 73rd minute when Messi, clutching the back of his left leg, requested to be substituted. Despite this, he walked off the pitch without assistance, and Inter Miami's coach, Guillermo Hoyos, suggested the substitution was precautionary, linked to fatigue from the heavy pitch conditions. Messi, 38, has managed his workload carefully since joining Inter Miami in 2023, often sitting out games during congested schedules due to prior hamstring issues. A significant injury to the eight-time Ballon D'Or winner could jeopardize Argentina's chances of defending their World Cup title, which begins on June 11 in Mexico City. Argentina is set to play their first match against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16. The team will announce its squad next week and has planned friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before the tournament.