Lionel Messi suffers thigh injury in Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia
Lionel Messi suffered a suspected thigh injury during Inter Miami’s record-breaking 6-4 victory against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday evening.
The Argentine captain immediately requested a substitution after clutching his left leg following a 70th-minute free-kick at Nu Stadium.
He walked directly down the tunnel towards the dressing room without assistance, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
Record-breaking goalfest
The alarming withdrawal overshadowed an extraordinary comeback from the home side in the highest-scoring first half in Major League Soccer history.
Philadelphia initially raced into a two-goal lead through Milan Iloski before Germán Berterame converted a cross from the former Barcelona forward.
Bruno Damiani quickly restored the visitors’ advantage following a deflection from goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
However, a breathtaking attacking display saw Luis Suárez score twice and Berterame add his second to flip the match entirely.
The frantic opening period concluded level at 4-4 when Iloski completed a first-half hat-trick from the penalty spot following a VAR review.
Suárez secures victory
Torrential rain slowed the tempo after the restart, but the veteran Uruguayan striker eventually completed his own hat-trick to seal the points.
Rodrigo De Paul added a late sixth for the hosts to tie the second-highest scoring regular-season match in league history.
World Cup fears
The dramatic triumph leaves the Florida franchise sitting second in the Eastern Conference on 31 points, trailing leaders Nashville by two points as the domestic campaign pauses.
Attention now turns to the fitness of the defending world champion, with Argentina scheduled to begin their group stage campaign against Algeria on 16 June.
The national team has yet to announce its final tournament squad, though the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was fully expected to lead his country.