Argentina World Cup Fitness: Messi Not The Only Concern Ahead Of Tournament

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is weighing up several fitness doubts, including Lionel Messi, as the World Cup approaches. Messi left Inter Miami’s 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Union holding the back of the left leg, and Scaloni is still unsure when full fitness will return across the squad.

Inter Miami described Messi’s issue as fatigue and indicated it should not affect World Cup involvement. Scaloni, however, remains cautious about the situation, especially as the forward is expected to feature in a record sixth edition of the tournament during this summer’s finals.

"The initial updates [about Messi] aren't entirely bad," Scaloni said in an interview with DSports. "Now, we must wait to see how he evolves, pending the results of further tests to see if they confirm the initial medical reports. We all wished Messi could have joined the squad fully fit, but that isn't the reality. It's not just him; many players have yet to fully recover from injuries. Our main priority now is their rehabilitation to ensure they reach the World Cup in peak condition."

Scaloni is also tracking injuries to several other Argentina players, adding to the World Cup worries around Lionel Messi. Emiliano Martinez completed Aston Villa’s Europa League campaign despite a fractured finger, while Cristian Romero missed Tottenham’s season run-in following a ligament sprain, leaving key positions under medical observation.

Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Nico Paz and Nicolas Gonzalez are likewise at different points in their recoveries. Scaloni plans to keep assessing every Argentina player, including Lionel Messi, until the final possible date before the World Cup, delaying firm decisions on selection while medical staff monitor responses to treatment and training workloads.

Messi already holds the record for most World Cup appearances, playing 26 matches with 13 goals and eight assists. During the 2022 tournament, Messi became the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final in one edition, directly scoring or assisting 10 of Argentina’s 15 goals.

Across that 2022 campaign, Messi scored seven times and provided three assists as Argentina claimed the trophy. Those numbers underline why any World Cup fitness concern around Lionel Messi is closely watched, with the forward central to the team’s attacking structure and set-piece responsibilities under Scaloni.

The final Argentina World Cup squad must reach FIFA by June 2, giving Lionel Messi and other injured players limited time. None of the affected group are expected to feature in the warm-up fixtures against Honduras and Iceland, as the coaching staff prioritise controlled rehabilitation over friendly appearances.

Argentina open the World Cup against Algeria on June 16, before group matches with Austria and Jordan in Group J. Scaloni’s decisions on Lionel Messi and the other recovering players will shape that campaign, with the staff balancing medical guidance and tactical needs as the tournament draws near.