Messi's injury casts doubt on World Cup swansong for football legends

The 2026 World Cup was anticipated as the final tournament for football's legendary generation, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. However, a serious hamstring injury to Messi has cast a shadow over his participation, fueling speculation about the "twilight of the gods" era.

Middle-aged professional footballers, typically defined as those aged 30-35 and older, are increasingly susceptible to injuries. Hamstring injuries, particularly to the biceps femoris and rectus femoris, are common, accounting for 4% to 13% of all football injuries. These often occur at the junction of muscle and tendon or tendon and bone, exacerbated by reduced muscle elasticity, scar tissue from old injuries, and slower recovery times.

Injuries in older athletes have risen over the last 20 years, with 18% being recurrent. High-intensity training and frequent sprints contribute significantly to this trend. Muscle strains are classified into three grades: Grade 1 involves minor fiber damage with slight pain; Grade 2 shows visible fiber tears and functional impairment requiring rest; and Grade 3 signifies extensive tears needing medical or surgical intervention.

Non-contact injuries are typical, often occurring during sudden changes in direction or abrupt stops while sprinting, placing high tension on the hamstring muscles. Fatigue, inadequate warm-up, or muscle imbalances can lead to injuries even during normal movements like long passes or shots. Direct impact can cause bruising and hematomas, leading to fibrosis and decreased elasticity over time.

Age is the primary risk factor for middle-aged athletes, alongside insufficient warm-ups, frequent matches, poor sleep and nutrition, and muscle/flexibility imbalances. Prevention is key, emphasizing dynamic warm-ups, progressive stretching, neuromuscular training, and controlled training loads. Treatment for acute injuries includes RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), medication, and rehabilitation focusing on concentric and eccentric muscle contractions. Advanced therapies like PRP injections show some promise, but evidence for treatments like exosomes and stem cells remains limited.

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We have always expected Messi to shine in this World Cup, and a tournament without him is unimaginable. We know the twilight of the gods will eventually come, but we sincerely hope it is after July 19.