Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos confirmed Lionel Messi was withdrawn as a precaution during a 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union, easing fears of serious injury after the forward left holding the back of a leg in the 73rd minute of one of the highest-scoring matches in MLS history.

Messi asked to be substituted shortly after taking a free-kick, gesturing towards the bench before walking off and being replaced by Mateo Silvetti, with Inter Miami choosing safety as Argentina work towards naming a World Cup squad that is expected to be led by the captain for a title defence later in 2026.

The 10-goal contest was the second-highest scoring MLS game on record, yet the focus quickly turned to Messi’s condition as Inter Miami moved into the World Cup break sitting second in the Eastern Conference, two points behind leaders Nashville SC after extending an impressive attacking run.

Before leaving the pitch, Messi produced two assists, both for German Berterame, while Luis Suarez completed a hat-trick and Rodrigo De Paul struck late for Miami’s sixth, outlasting a Milan Iloski treble and a further Philadelphia goal from Bruno Damiana in an open match dominated by attacking play.

The busy MLS schedule also featured a solid win for the Columbus Crew, who ended the first phase of their season by beating Atlanta United 2-0, with Sekou Bangoura opening the scoring and Diego Rossi adding the second, while Los Angeles FC climbed to fifth in the Western Conference by halting a four-game winless run through Timothy Tillman’s late decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders.

Across both conferences, the latest round of fixtures shaped the table ahead of the World Cup pause, with Inter Miami pushing close to Nashville SC in the East and Los Angeles FC improving their position in the West, as several attacking players, including Suarez, Iloski and Tillman, delivered key contributions for their respective clubs.

Hoyos stressed that Inter Miami acted out of caution once Messi reported tiredness on a heavy pitch, saying the decision was straightforward for the technical staff given the demanding schedule, the approaching international window and the importance of the forward’s fitness for both club and Argentina’s upcoming World Cup campaign. “As far as I know, we don’t have a report on that yet, but he really was fatigued. It was fatigue,” Hoyos said. “Yes, it was fatigue. He was tired, the field was heavy, and rather than doubt, you always say not to take the risk.”

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The night’s results leave Inter Miami well placed in the Eastern Conference despite concern over Messi’s early exit, with the team’s attacking output, highlighted by contributions from Suarez, Berterame and De Paul, balancing worries around fatigue while Argentina monitor developments ahead of final World Cup squad confirmation.