Lionel Scaloni named a 26-man Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup and confirmed Lionel Messi will captain the team’s defence. Messi’s participation had been questioned after an injury sustained while playing for Inter Miami. He was substituted in Miami’s final MLS match before the World Cup break, and medical tests identified muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. Inter Miami provided no clear return timetable, stating recovery depends on clinical and functional progress. Scaloni downplayed the injury’s seriousness but said Messi would undergo further tests. The squad announcement also excluded Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono, a highly regarded 18-year-old prospect. The tournament begins June 11, with Argentina opening against Algeria in Kansas City five days later.
"Lionel Messi will captain Argentina's World Cup defence at the 2026 edition, national coach Lionel Scaloni announced as he unveiled his 26-man squad. Messi had not previously confirmed he would play in what will be the 38-year-old's record-breaking sixth tournament. It had been widely assumed the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner would again lead Argentina, four years after lifting the trophy in Qatar, but an injury sustained while playing for his club side, Inter Miami, cast further doubt on his participation."
"Messi's injury scare in recent days came following his substitution in Miami's final Major League Soccer (MLS) fixture before a break in the tournament for the World Cup. Miami's medical tests diagnosed him with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. The MLS club had provided no clear timetable for Messi's return after his abrupt 73rd-minute exit from his side's eventual Miami 6-4 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday. Miami did say, however, that his recovery time will depend on his clinical and functional progress."
"Scaloni has played down the seriousness of the injury this week, but admitted the forward would be going for further tests, although no further update has been provided. Messi will be playing in his sixth World Cup, having previously participated in Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. Of those called up, 17 players were part of the team that triumphed four years a"
"Thursday's announcement notably excluded Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono from the Argentina squad. Eighteen-year-old Mastantuono is considered one of the brightest prospects in Argentinian football. The largest ever World Cup, cohosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on June 11. Argentina's first match will be five days later against Algeria in Kansas City."
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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