Lionel Messi is on Argentina's squad for the 2026 World Cup and, as captain, is set to lead the defending champions at the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The 38-year-old Inter Miami forward is expected to appear at what would be his sixth World Cup. Le Monde ↗
Messi's inclusion comes after health concerns in recent days. In the MLS match between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union, he asked to be substituted in the 73rd minute due to leg pain. Subsequent reports pointed to problems with his left thigh, caused by overload and muscle fatigue. Inter Miami did not initially disclose the extent of the injury, but later reports suggested it was not a serious issue. sport.cz - hokej ↗
The duel with Philadelphia ended in a 6:4 victory for Inter Miami. The match was notable for an extraordinarily high-scoring first half, which ended in a 4:4 draw, with Luis Suárez standing out for the home side with a hat-trick. Messi's forced substitution, however, raised concerns, especially as it came shortly before the start of Argentina's preparations for the World Cup. sport.sk ↗
Even before the squad announcement, Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni stated that Messi's condition did not yet appear serious. The coming days' developments regarding his health and his ability to join training will be decisive. If his participation is also confirmed on the pitch, Messi will extend his exceptional record for the national team, in which he has scored 116 goals in 198 matches. Le Figaro ↗
Messi to lead Argentina at the World Cup despite muscle fatigue
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Sources (11)
Argentinien nimmt angeschlagenen Messi mit zur WM
Spiegel.de
| 02:26 29.05.
Messi to represent Argentina at sixth World Cup
BBC News
| 01:08 29.05.
Tréner Argentíny prehovoril o zranení Lionela Messiho: Teraz musíme čakať
sport.sk
| 11:10 27.05.
Fußball-WM: „26 Krieger“: Weltmeister Argentinien mit Messi zur WM
Tagesspiegel
| 00:51 29.05.
Fußball-WM: «26 Krieger»: Weltmeister Argentinien mit Messi zur WM
Die Zeit
| 00:50 29.05.
India's 70ft Messi statue to be moved after 'swaying in the wind'
BBC News
| 13:43 27.05.
Angeschlagener Superstar: Entwarnung vor WM: Messi-Muskel nur überlastet
Tagesspiegel
| 08:14 26.05.
Bei Inter Miami: Weltmeister bangt: Messi angeschlagen ausgewechselt
Tagesspiegel
| 07:52 25.05.
VIDEO Strach o Lionela Messiho. Hviezdny útočník musel pred MS vo futbale vynútene striedať
sport.sk
| 07:48 25.05.
Calcio, Messi si fa male e lascia il campo prima della fine della partita di Major League Soccer: si teme per i Mondiali
La Repubblica
| 04:41 25.05.
Messi lascia il campo, paura infortunio a tre settimane dal Mondiale
ANSA
| 04:12 25.05.
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