Argentina Boss Lionel Scaloni Speaks on Lionel Messi Fitness After Hamstring Issue Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Scaloni said Messi’s hamstring issue is not serious as Argentina adds more than 30 players for friendlies and final roster cover.
- On Sunday, Argentina captain Lionel Messi limped off during Inter Miami's MLS match against Philadelphia Union in the 73rd minute after clutching his left thigh, sparking concern with the World Cup less than three weeks away.
- Inter Miami confirmed Monday that Messi suffered left hamstring muscle fatigue overload, with return timing dependent on clinical and functional evolution, adding significance given this may be his final major tournament at age 38.
- Multiple key players carry injuries: Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero battles a right knee strain, full-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel were sidelined with muscle tears, and Como midfielder Nico Paz missed his club's final match due to knee injury.
- Coach Lionel Scaloni said Tuesday the injury does not look "bad" and will not jeopardize Messi's participation in his sixth World Cup, though the captain will not report to pre-tournament training in peak condition.
- Argentina opens Group J on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, with warm-up friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9, as Scaloni called up more than 30 players including 19-year-old River Plate forward Joaquín Freitas for contingency cover.
47 Articles
47 Articles
In Argentina there is concern about the situation of Lionel Messi. For the same reason, the technician of the Albiceleste, Lionel Scaloni, stepped out and referred to the Pulga injury a few days from the World Cup and assured that the technical body will try to recover the captain of his team so that he arrives “as best” to the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The issue was settled after the striker left the last game of Inter…
The circumstance face of Leo Messi last Monday, in the game of Inter de Miami before the Philadelphia Union said it all. The Argentine has always been of few words, but quite gestural, of rapid reading through his face. Messi went to the ground and touched the back of the left thigh, in his ischiotibial, and all the alarms jumped in the Argentine selection a little more than two weeks from beginning the World Cup 2026, alarms that today Lionel S…
The alarms went off in Argentina when Messi left the Inter Miami game against the Philadelphia Union with physical problems on Sunday. The later medical part issued by the club revealed what was happening to Leo.
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