Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has calmed fears over Lionel Messi’s fitness, suggesting his latest injury “is not that bad” with just two weeks to go before the start of the World Cup.
Messi was diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring by Inter Miami after he made an abrupt exit from the MLS’ club’s 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
Aged 38, Messi remains Argentina’s talisman for the defence of the title they won in Qatar four years ago. “Obviously we would have preferred that nothing had happened,” Scaloni told Argentinian TV station DSports on Tuesday. “Now one has to wait and see how it evolves and above all the new tests they are going to conduct in order to see if it confirms their original diagnosis.”
Scaloni, who is due to name his squad next week, added he had watched the match on TV at the federation’s headquarters and been relieved that Messi had asked to come off. Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos explained after the match Messi was tired, the pitch was heavy and that he didn’t wanted to take a risk with the World Cup winner’s fitness.
Inter Miami’s statement on Monday that “the timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress” gave little indication about the status of the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner.
Argentina are set to begin their World Cup campaign on 16 June against Algeria in Kansas City. They then play Austria on 22 June and round off their Group J campaign against Jordan on 28 June. Messi has not formally confirmed he plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the finals. His great Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo and potentially Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa would also be making a sixth appearance.
Messi has managed his workload since joining Inter Miami in 2023, with team staff regularly excusing him from matches in congested fixture periods. MLS has started a break in its season for the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Argentina are set to play two pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras on 6 June and Iceland on 9 June, both in the United States. Meanwhile, a giant statue of football superstar Lionel Messi erected in India to mark his visit last year is “swaying in the wind” and will be removed.
Workers have scrambled up the 21-metre golden-coloured statue in the eastern city of Kolkata in West Bengal, throwing ropes around its shoulders to secure it. The sculpture was unveiled during Messi’s GOAT Tour of India in December.