Messi joins high-profile World Cup injury concerns just weeks before kickoff

Lionel Messi suffered an apparent hamstring injury while playing for Inter Miami in an MLS match on Sunday, raising doubts about his fitness ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He joins a growing list of high-profile injury concerns, with Brazil's Rodrygo and Éder Militão, Germany's Serge Gnabry, and France's Hugo Ekitike confirmed out of the tournament. Spain's Lamine Yamal is expected to recover in time, while Kylian Mbappé and Mohamed Salah have already returned from their respective injuries.