This week will see the start of the intensive rehabilitation plan for Lionel Messi, after a muscle strain in his left hamstring was confirmed during Inter Miami CF’s tour.
The news had an immediate impact in both Major League Soccer and Argentina, especially with the proximity of the 2026 World Cup, which will begin in exactly four months.
Inter Miami prioritizes full recovery of Argentine captain
The club’s medical staff, in permanent coordination with the AFA, decided that Messi will not participate in the team’s upcoming commercial commitments.
The priority is clear:
- Avoid any muscle relapse.
- Control workloads over the coming weeks.
- Ensure that he arrives in peak physical condition on June 11.
The aim is for the “10” to play in what would be his sixth World Cup without any physical constraints.
Messi could be out for at least three weeks
Although the club will issue an official statement with the estimated time of absence, the first reports suggest a minimum absence of three weeks.
This period would include:
- Specific physiotherapy work.
- Progressive reconditioning on the field.
- Constant medical evaluations.
In hamstring injuries, caution is usually key to avoiding relapses, especially in high-level competitive soccer players.
Argentina and the United States contain “Messimania”
There was concern in both Argentina and the United States, where Messi is the main sporting and media attraction. The expectation is that his discipline and experience will allow for an uneventful recovery.
With four months to go until the 2026 World Cup, every step of the Argentine captain will be closely scrutinized. The mission is clear: to ensure that the Albiceleste’s top player is in optimal condition to lead his team in North America and, possibly, to close his World Cup cycle at the top.
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