Coach Scaloni optimistic on Messi recovery as WC looms

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the initial news regarding superstar Lionel Messi’s fitness “is not that bad” and hopes further examinations will confirm that diagnosis with the World Cup just a fortnight away.

Messi has been diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring by his Major League Soccer club Inter Miami after he made an abrupt exit from Miami’s 6-4 victory over Philadelphia in the 73rd minute on Sunday.

Even at 38 and eying a sixth World Cup finals appearance, Messi remains the side’s talisman for the defence of the title they won in Qatar four years ago.

“Obviously we would have preferred that nothing had happened,” Scaloni told Argentinian TV station DSports on Tuesday.

“Now one has to wait and see how it evolves and above all the new tests they are going to conduct in order to see if it confirms their original diagnosis.”

Scaloni, who is due to name his squad next week, added he had watched the match on TV at the federation’s headquarters and been relieved that Messi had asked to come off.

Inter manager Guillermo Hoyos explained after the match Messi was tired, the pitch was heavy and no-one wanted to take a risk with his fitness.

Inter Miami issued a statement on Monday saying: “The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.”

That gave little indication about the status of the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner.

Argentina are set to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.

They then play Austria on June 22 and round off their Group J campaign against Jordan on June 28.

Messi has managed his workload since joining Inter Miami in 2023, with team staff regularly excusing him from matches in congested fixture periods.

MLS has started a break in its season for the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Messi has not formally confirmed he plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the finals.

His great Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo and potentially Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa would also be making a sixth appearance.

Argentina are set to play two pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9, both in the United States.

Meanwhile, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Argentina enter the global showpiece as defending champions. They’ll compete in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria (June 22) and Jordan (June 27).

While Messi hasn’t formally declared he’ll participate in his record sixth World Cup, he’s expected to captain Lionel Scaloni’s side this summer alongside Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

Messi led La Albiceleste to the 2022 World Cup title and is approaching 200 caps for his country. He has appeared in a record 26 World Cup matches while producing 13 goals and 8 assits.

Agencies