Lionel Messi injury update: Inter Miami star grabs at leg, exits MLS game weeks before World Cup

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Lionel Messi injury update: Inter Miami star grabs at leg, exits MLS game weeks before World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Lionel Messi is hoping for one last ride to a championship as he prepares for what is fully expected to be his last World Cup, but an apparent injury suffered Sunday night could throw a wrench into Argentina's plans.

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Messi grabbed at the back of his leg and asked for a substitute before walking off the field after a free kick against Philadelphia Union on Sunday.

Inter Miami was playing its final game before the World Cup when Messi exited. The MLS season is set to break through July 16, beginning Monday.

Here's what you need to know about Messi's injury and when his first World Cup game would be.

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Lionel Messi injury update

Messi grabbed the back of his leg and asked for a substitute after a free kick during Inter Miami's match against Philadelphia Union on Sunday night. He appeared to walk back without any significant limp.

The back of the leg is where the hamstring is located, but Messi's exact injury wasn't immediately clear.

Insider Fabrizio Romano reported Inter Miami will "assess" the injury. After the match, coach Guillermo Hoyos said the club was still evaluating Messi but said the star was "fatigued" during the game.

"I still don’t have information on this [injury]. Soon we will have it," Hoyos said. "Truthfully, he is fatigued."

Inter Miami was even with Philadelphia in a high-scoring affair at the time of the injury but went on to win 6-4 after Messi's exit.

MORE:Full schedule of games for Group J, featuring Argentina

When does the World Cup begin?

Argentina's World Cup journey is set to begin on June 16 with a match against Algeria in Kansas City. That's 23 days, or a little more than three weeks, from Sunday night's apparent injury.

Argentina hasn't revealed its World Cup roster yet, but Messi is set to be a focal point of the squad even at this late stage of his international career.

MORE:When will Argentina announce World Cup roster?

How old is Lionel Messi?

Messi is 38 years old and will turn 39 in June, right in the middle of group play during Argentina's World Cup run.

Even as he nears 40, Messi is considered an outstanding player and is coming off back-to-back MLS MVP seasons. Messi fully expects this year's World Cup to be his last. 

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