LIONEL MESSI’S World Cup hopes are in jeopardy after suffering a worrying injury less than three weeks before the tournament.
The Argentina icon, 38, limped off with a hamstring problem during Inter Miami’s 6-4 thumping of Philadelphia Union.
Messi, who is on a deal worth a staggering £21.2million, was spotted holding his leg before asking to be taken off midway through the second half of the MLS showdown.
And the Barcelona legend is now in a race against time to prove his fitness as the summer extravaganza edges closer.
Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, was replaced by Mateo Silvetti and made a beeline for the dressing room.
The attacker slipped minutes earlier and complained of tightness in his hamstring before deciding not to take any risks.
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Guillermo Hoyos, who took over as Inter Miami’s interim boss after Javier Mascherano quit in April, hinted the injury is not serious.
During his post-match press conference, he said: “As far as I know, we don’t have a report on that yet, but he really was fatigued.
“It was fatigue. He was tired, the field was heavy, and rather than doubt, one always says not to take the risk.”
Messi, who is set to undergo tests to determine the severity of his problem, is desperate to feature in his SIXTH World Cup.
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Argentina get their tournament underway with a Group J clash against Algeria.
And they will then face Austria and Jordan as they push to defend their crown.
Messi is heading into the World Cup in sensational form, having notched 13 goals and seven assists in 16 appearances this season.
But the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was also forced onto the sidelines with a muscle strain in his left hamstring in February.
Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez spearheaded Inter Miami to victory over Philadelphia by bagging a hat-trick.
Milan Iloski also notched a sensational treble for the Union in a thrilling encounter.
