Messi Nears Return as Argentina Monitors Squad Fitness Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has provided a positive update on Lionel Messi’s recovery, saying the captain is making steady progress and could feature briefly in the team’s upcoming friendly matches before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Messi, who sustained a strain in his left hamstring during Inter Miami’s most recent match, was initially expected to miss Argentina’s friendly against Honduras. However, Scaloni revealed that the 38-year-old forward has already returned to partial training with the national team, raising hopes that he could see some action before the tournament begins.

“Leo is doing well; he has already trained partly with the group, and he’s no longer completely separated,” Scaloni told reporters ahead of Argentina’s friendly schedule.

“It’s possible he’ll play a few minutes in the friendlies. We’ll see whether that’s tomorrow’s game or the other one,” he added.

Argentina, the defending world champions, will face Honduras in College Station, Texas, before taking on Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, as part of their final preparations for the World Cup.

Scaloni said Messi’s improvement has eased concerns within the coaching staff.

“He’s much better and that gives us peace of mind,” the coach said.

While Messi remains the most closely watched player in the squad, Argentina are also managing several other injury concerns ahead of their World Cup opener.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has been ruled out of both friendly matches after suffering a fracture to the ring finger on his right hand during preparations for the Europa League final. Despite the setback, the coaching staff remains optimistic that he will recover in time for Argentina’s opening World Cup match.

Scaloni confirmed that Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso will start against Honduras, while young River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán is expected to receive playing time during the friendlies.

The Argentine squad is also dealing with defensive injury concerns. Right-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are both recovering from muscle tears, prompting the coaching staff to call up Agustín Giay and Nicolás Capaldo as temporary replacements for the warm-up matches.

At centre-back, Cristian Romero has returned to group training after recovering from a knee sprain suffered in April. However, the defender is still working toward full match fitness, leaving uncertainty about whether he will feature before the tournament begins.

Midfielder Nicolás Paz is another player under close observation. He has been training separately after suffering a knee injury and has already been ruled out of the Honduras match. His availability for Argentina’s World Cup opener remains uncertain.

Leandro Paredes and Julián Álvarez also arrived at the team’s training camp carrying minor physical concerns. Although both players are reportedly improving, Scaloni emphasized that the coaching staff will avoid taking unnecessary risks before the tournament.

“The situation is improving,” Scaloni said.

“They’re fine, and we don’t want to risk them in these games. The idea is surely that the injured players won’t take part in these friendlies. In this one against Honduras, definitely not. In the second, there might be a chance that one of them could play.”

The Argentina coach said the final assessment of the squad’s condition will come in the days leading up to the tournament.

“For now everything is going quite well, and next week we’ll see,” he said.

Argentina will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. As the defending champions prepare to launch their title defense, the fitness of Messi and several key players is expected to remain one of the major storylines surrounding the team.

With Messi nearing a return to action and other injured players gradually recovering, Argentina’s coaching staff will be hoping to have a fully fit squad available when the tournament gets underway.