MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi entered the World Cup hiatus a little earlier than planned, but now Argentina will wait to see if there are any injuries to worry about.
Messi, who rarely comes on as a substitute in games, was sent off in the 73rd minute, meaning he was gone for a long time before Luis Suarez’s third goal of the night helped the defending MLS champions beat last-place Philadelphia Union 6-4 on Sunday night.
Messi provided two assists and Germán Bertelame scored two goals in a record-setting first half for Inter Miami. But Messi basically left the play in the 71st minute, reached for his left hamstring at least once, and then didn’t even make his way to Inter Miami’s bench when he could have been sent off.
Messi was replaced by Matteo Silvetti and immediately left the field through the tunnel that connected the field to the team’s locker room. Messi was walking on his own, albeit slowly, without team medical personnel accompanying him.
Rodrigo de Paul, celebrating his birthday, scored in stoppage time to seal Inter Miami’s victory.
It started raining heavily early in the second half, and some players slipped on the grass. It’s unclear whether Messi’s sending off was precautionary, but he didn’t look like he made a big mistake in the worst of the rain.
Messi has said in the past that he only intends to play in the World Cup if he is healthy. Argentina’s group stage begins on June 16th.
Milan Iroski scored a hat-trick, including two penalties in the first half, and Bruno Damiani also scored for Union, who led 2-0 after just 10 minutes. This start set the stage for both teams to be tied 4-4 at the half.
According to the league, his eight points before halftime were an MLS record.
Miami resident Luis Fonsi, a Grammy-nominated singer who performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game, said: “It’s beautiful, it’s fun to be at the game, it’s fun to sing the national anthem, and of course it’s an honor to see Messi and all the great players up close.” “I’m a fan and I’m enjoying every part of it.”
He was asked what it was like to share the field with Messi.
“He’s much more famous than I am, a million times more famous,” Fonsi said.
Messi has already played in five World Cups and twice won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. The first time was in 2014 and the second time was in 2022 when he led Argentina to the title. This award has been awarded since 1982, but he is the only player to have won it twice.
Argentina is in Group J at the World Cup. Group stage games: vs. Algeria, vs. Kansas City on June 16th. Austria, June 22nd, Arlington, Texas. Jordan then returned to Arlington on June 27th.
If Argentina wins that group, it would be a huge advantage for the defending champions to win, and Messi will play in the Round of 32 match at Miami Gardens on July 3. The only way Messi will play in South Florida during the tournament is if Argentina plays in the third-place match on July 18th.
Of course, everything depends on whether Messi plays or not. And that now seems at least to be in some doubt.
Inter Miami (9-2-4, 31 points) enters the break in second place in the Eastern Conference with a two-point lead over Nashville (10-1-3, 33 points). Inter Miami are also fourth in the Supporters’ Shield standings, a trophy won by Philadelphia last season.
The Union won’t win it this season. Not even close.
They are bottom of the league, suffering a shockingly poor run, going into the break with one win, 10 losses and four draws and seven points.
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