Scaloni Shares Optimism on Messi’s Injury Ahead of World Cup

Lionel Scaloni, the coach of Argentina, has delivered a hopeful update regarding Lionel Messi’s injury status, amidst rising concerns over the superstar's fitness as the FIFA World Cup approaches. Scaloni remarked that initial assessments reveal Messi's condition is “not that bad” and he is optimistic that forthcoming medical evaluations will further support this positive outlook.

The Argentine captain experienced muscle fatigue in his left hamstring during Inter Miami’s thrilling 6-4 win against Philadelphia in Major League Soccer. He exited the match in the 73rd minute, sparking worries about his readiness just weeks before the World Cup kicks off.

At 38 years old and gearing up for what might be his sixth World Cup, Messi remains integral to Argentina’s team as the reigning champions aim to defend their title won in Qatar four years back.

In a conversation with DSports, an Argentine television station, Scaloni conveyed that while the coaching staff wished for no injury issues, the current situation appears to be manageable. He anticipates that further assessments will shed more light on Messi’s physical condition soon.

Scaloni revealed that he had been watching the match from the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association and felt relieved when Messi opted to leave the field voluntarily to prevent a more severe injury. Inter Miami’s coach, Guillermo Hoyos, later noted that the challenging pitch and fatigue contributed to this decision.

Inter Miami issued a statement confirming that Messi’s return to full training will hinge on his recovery process and medical evaluations, but no timeline for his recovery or World Cup readiness was specified.

Argentina is set to start their FIFA World Cup journey on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. The team will also clash with Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 28 during the group stage.

In the lead-up to the World Cup, Argentina plans to engage in two international friendly matches in the United States against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9. These matches are anticipated to be crucial for the coaching staff to evaluate the team's fitness and finalize preparations.

Though Messi has not officially declared his participation in the 2026 World Cup, football analysts widely predict he will make a return, potentially matching the record for six World Cup appearances. Fellow football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are also on track to achieve this milestone.