Inter Miami’s official statement read: “After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.”

All things considered, this is the best possible diagnosis regarding the status of Lionel Messi, and for Argentina, it is clear that this is a case of accumulated fatigue. This indicates that rest before the World Cup will be crucial for Messi, while ensuring he does not lose his rhythm, meaning he will surely arrive more than ready for the debut.

What happened to Messi?

The scene that sparked concern occurred in the second half of the match played at the Nu Stadium. Under heavy rain, Messi asked to come off while clutching his left hamstring area, and, following the substitution of Mateo Silvetti, he headed straight to the locker room.

Although the press release does not mention specific timelines, in principle, he will need between 10 and 14 days of reduced workload, a period that initially does not jeopardize his presence in the debut against Algeria on June 16 for the 2026 World Cup. With that estimated recovery time, it remains to be determined whether Messi will be able to feature in the upcoming friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland.

What’s next for Messi and Argentina?

Messi is not the only player with physical issues among the regularly summoned squad members. Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Emiliano Dibu Martinez are also managing various ailments in their preparation to defend the title obtained in Qatar. Although the vast majority would make it to the debut, the case generating the most concern is that of Cuti, who could miss the opening matches.

Argentina‘s debut in the World Cup will take place on June 16 against Algeria for the first fixture of Group J at the stadium of the Kansas City Chiefs. After that encounter, the squad will travel to Dallas to face Austria on June 22 and will close the group stage in the same city against Jordan on June 27. Before the start of the World Cup, Argentina will play two prior friendly matches on June 6 and June 9 against Honduras and Iceland.

The France and Argentina head coaches enter the competition after leading their nations to World Cup glory in 2018 and 2022 respectively, giving the expanded tournament two reigning championship-winning managers on the sidelines.

Deschamps has already secured his place among the greatest coaches after becoming one of only three men in history to win the World Cup both as a player and as a manager. Meanwhile, Scaloni completed a remarkable rises in soccer.

How many World Cups has Didier Deschamps won?

Didier Deschamps has won one FIFA World Cup as a manager and one as a player. The France head coach lifted the trophy as captain of Les Bleus in 1998 and later guided France to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title in Russia.

That achievement placed him in one of the most exclusive groups in soccer history. He became only the third man ever to win the World Cup both as a player and as a manager, joining Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer.

Since taking over France in 2012, he has built one of the most successful eras in the country’s history. Under his leadership, France reached:

• The 2014 World Cup quarterfinals
• The Euro 2016 final
• The 2018 World Cup title
• The 2022 World Cup final

France narrowly missed a second consecutive championship in Qatar after losing to Argentina on penalties in one of the most dramatic finals ever played. The 2026 edition is expected to be his final World Cup before stepping down.

How many World Cups has Lionel Scaloni won?

Lionel Scaloni has won one FIFA World Cup as a manager. The Argentina head coach led La Albiceleste to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar after defeating France in the final. His triumph completed one of the most remarkable managerial rises.

When he first took over Argentina in 2018, many fans and analysts questioned the decision because he had almost no senior coaching experience. Four years later, he delivered Argentina’s first World Cup title since Diego Maradona’s team won in 1986.

His Argentina cycle quickly became historic. Before winning the World Cup, Scaloni also guided the national team to:

• The 2021 Copa America title
• The 2022 Finalissima title against Italy
• A long unbeaten streak that restored confidence around the national team

ESPN described Argentina’s World Cup triumph as the third major title won by his squad within just a year and a half. Now entering the 2026 World Cup, he has the opportunity to achieve something no manager has accomplished since 1938.

Has any coach ever won back-to-back FIFA World Cups?

Yes, only one coach in soccer history has ever won back-to-back FIFA World Cups: Vittorio Pozzo with Italy in 1934 and 1938. The legendary Italian manager remains the only coach to successfully defend a World Cup title.

His Italy dominated international soccer during the 1930s. FIFA notes that he won eight of his nine World Cup matches across the 1934 and 1938 tournaments, building one of the greatest dynasties in the sport’s history.

Many iconic coaches have come close to matching the feat, including:

• Didier Deschamps (France runner-up in 2022 after winning in 2018)
• Carlos Bilardo (Argentina finalist in 1990 after winning in 1986)
• Franz Beckenbauer (Germany semifinalist in 1990 after winning in 1986)

Despite multiple attempts across nearly a century of World Cup history, his record still stands alone. That is why Lionel Scaloni’s 2026 campaign has generated so much attention.

Can Lionel Scaloni defend Argentina’s World Cup title in 2026?

Yes, Lionel Scaloni has the opportunity to defend Argentina’s FIFA World Cup title in 2026 and potentially make history. Argentina enters the tournament as the reigning world champion after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Argentina remains one of the favorites heading into the tournament thanks to a core group that still includes stars such as Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister.

His leadership has transformed Argentina into one of the most consistent national teams. Many fans and analysts now consider the reigning champions among the strongest contenders to reach another final in North America.

Who was the last coach to win consecutive World Cups?

Vittorio Pozzo was the last coach to win consecutive FIFA World Cups. The Italian manager guided Italy to back-to-back titles in 1934 and 1938, a feat no other coach has matched since.

His dominance helped establish Italy as the first great dynasty in international soccer. FIFA describes him as “The Old Master”, noting that he won nearly every World Cup match he coached across those two tournaments.

His achievement becomes even more remarkable considering how difficult the modern World Cup has become. Since Pozzo, several reigning champions failed to even return to the final:

• Germany (1994, 2018)
• Spain (2014)
• France (2022 runner-up after winning in 2018)

Now, Lionel Scaloni has a chance to challenge one of the oldest records in World Cup history. If Argentina wins again in 2026, the Argentine coach would finally end an 88-year streak without a repeat World Cup-winning manager.

“Messi would be dealing with muscle fatigue,” he revealed during a recent edition of ESPN’s SportsCenter. Evidently as a preventive measure and out of caution, the No. 10 decided not to take any risks, and his availability against Honduras and Finland does not appear to be in doubt.

With less than a month remaining until the 2026 World Cup, and most likely being part of Argentina’s roster, Messi knows his body better than anyone and wants to arrive at the next competition in the best possible condition alongside his teammates.

A flurry of goals in Messi’s final official match before the World Cup

In a spectacular offensive display, Inter Miami secured a thrilling 6-4 comeback victory over the Philadelphia Union at Nu Stadium, highlighted by an unprecedented 4-4 scoreline in the first half alone. Luis Suarez led the charge with a clinical hat-trick, supported by a brace from German Berterame and a late goal by Rodrigo De Paul.

Lionel Messi orchestrated much of Inter Miami’s attack during his 73 minutes on the pitch, proving vital to securing the victory. Despite recording just one shot, his vision was key as he delivered two precise assists for Berterame’s goals, while also completing 21 of his 28 total passes and drawing two fouls.

What’s next for Lionel Messi and Argentina?

Ahead of their title defense at the 2026 World Cup, Argentina will play two warm-up friendly matches in the United States. The reigning world champions will first face Honduras on Saturday, June 6, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.

Just three days later, on Tuesday, June 9, Lionel Scaloni’s squad will wrap up their preparations against Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, before heading to their official tournament opener against Algeria.

Argentina’s schedule at the 2026 World Cup

• vs Algeria, June 16th (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City)
• vs Austria, June 22nd (AT&T Stadium, Dallas)
• vs Jordan, June 27th (AT&T Stadium, Dallas)

Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos addressed the situation post-game, noting that while they don’t yet have a medical report, the club “didn’t want to risk anything” with their star player. Hoyos believes Messi was simply suffering from fatigue on a very heavy pitch, rather than a serious muscle tear.

Argentine national team insider Gaston Edul of TyC Sports also reported that the substitution was entirely preventative due to hamstring tightness, reassuring fans that there is no structural injury at this time. Despite the scare, Inter Miami secured the win with two assists from Messi, allowing him to depart for national team duty without further aggravating the sensitive area.

What happens if Messi is injured?

The tactical flexibility of the Argentine squad allows Scaloni to pivot to a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 formation. This depth is reinforced by a long list of reserved forwards, including young stars with enough European experience to choose from, who can provide a mix of youth and technical brilliance.

While no single player can truly replace the impact of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, the presence of clinical finishers like Julian Álvarez and Lautaro Martinez ensures that Argentina will not lack for goals. The national team’s system has evolved to be less dependent on a single individual.

Ultimately, the goal for Argentina is to arrive at the 2026 World Cup with a fully fit squad, but the recent scare with Messi has proven that the reigning champions are well-prepared for any contingency.

Messi had assisted German Berterame twice in the dramatic showdown between the Herons and the U. He looked to be in full gear and sending an encouraging message for Argentina, the reigning world champions, ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, that could all change now.

Though far from being involved in a gruesome or scary play, Messi suddenly asked to be replaced and headed with a bit of a limp towards the locker room. His apparent injury is raising concerns as La Albiceleste are just 23 days away from their debut in the 2026 World Cup.

Concerns around Messi

For the time being, there are no updates on what exactly happened to Lionel Messi. Based on the broadcast images, Messi appeared to be experiencing discomfort in his left hamstring, and the fact that he didn’t even head to the substitutes’ bench could be a reason for concern in Argentina. However, there is also a silver lining.

Primarily, whatever happened to Messi appears to be a muscle issue, and he was still able to walk it off. Secondly, he was cautious enough not to put himself at greater risk and asked to be taken off the pitch at Nu Stadium. Although the 2026 World Cup is indeed right around the corner, 23 days could be more than enough time for Argentina’s No. 10 to recover.

Messi has no further commitments with Inter Miami CF for the time being and can now focus entirely on returning to full fitness ahead of Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria in Kansas City. Even at less than 100%, Lionel Messi is capable of doing things others can’t even dream of at full capacity.

Argentina’s World Cup schedule

The reigning World Cup champions will start their journey against Algeria on June 16. On June 22, Argentina will take on Austria, before closing out their participation in Group J with a matchup against Jordan.

Gearing up for their title defense in 2026, Argentina will face Honduras on June 6 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. On June 9, La Albiceleste will take on Iceland at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Whether Messi will be available for those friendlies—or if Lionel Scaloni and his staff will choose caution instead—remains to be seen.

This announcement would come almost at the last minute, as all 48 squads must be submitted before the deadline, which is May 30th. The decision by the manager and his staff is due to the need to assess, until the very last moment, certain injuries affecting specific players.

For now, Lionel Messi knows that some of his teammates from the Qatar 2022 World Cup will not be included, while many others will still be aiming to defend the title. He will have to wait a few more days to finally learn who will accompany him on this mission.

Doubts facing Scaloni’s Argentina for the 2026 World Cup

With the deadline fast approaching for Lionel Scaloni to lock in Argentina’s final 26-man World Cup roster, the coaching staff is facing a tense race against time to evaluate a crucial group of compromised players.

In defense, the right-back position is a major headache: Nahuel Molina is recovering from a recent muscle tear suffered with Atletico Madrid, while his natural replacement, Gonzalo Montiel, is also battling a muscle injury sustained with River Plate, leaving both short on match fitness.

Meanwhile, key defensive anchor Cristian Romero has been sidelined since April due to a partial MCL tear in his knee, but Scaloni is determined to hold his spot until the absolute last minute given his status as an undisputed starter. High up the pitch, Nico Gonzalez is managing a delicate physical setback of his own, and the rising midfield talent Nico Paz is under close medical monitoring his knee injury as the medical staff works overtime to see if they can safely hit the ground running.

The first challenges for Lionel Messi and Argentina

Argentina will kick off their Group J title defense on June 16 against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. For their second match, the reigning world champions with Lionel Messi at the helm will head to Arlington, Texas, to face Austria at AT&T Stadium on June 22. Finally, the Albiceleste will wrap up the group stage at the very same venue in Texas on June 27, where they will play their final group game against tournament debutants Jordan.

Reported by Argentine national team insider Gaston Edul of TyC Sports, Martinez will undergo tests on his hand injury less than a week away from the start of Argentina’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Martinez appeared on Wednesday in the Europa League final where he helped Aston Villa win the tournament.

Martinez is a world class goalkeeper, born for the big moments and one of the leaders of the Argentinian locker room. While Messi guides the offense, ‘Dibu‘ is the one making it almost impossible to score against them. However, as Argentina’s 2026 World Cup roster could be revealed just before the deadline, Martinez is scheduled to go.

Martinez is more than just a GK for Argentina

Martinez is arguably the best penalty-kick-stopper in the world. Between his mind tricks, his skill, and his intuition, Martinez is one of the few goalkeepers that can actually make a penalty kick a dire situation for the attacking team.

Per Fabrizio Romano, Dibu admitted to playing the Europa League final with a broken finger. Not having him would be a massive blow for Argentina, though all points sign to him playing even if not at 100% capacity. The defending champs would lose a top-tier keeper, an elite PK stopper, a locker room leader, and a guy who’s not afraid of the moment if he’s not there.

Who could be Argentina’s GK for 2026 World Cup if Martinez is out?

The guys who could step in for Martinez if he is not fit to play would be Geronimo Rulli from Marseille, or Juan Musso from Atletico Madrid. While both are very good goalkeepers, they don’t have the mileage Martinez has.

Rully is 34 years old. He was a big-time prospect back in the day, though he never established himself as Argentina’s #1 keeper. As for Musso, he is 32 years old. He was always a decent keeper, but has had a massive upgrade in form this season.

In 2022, Lionel Scaloni led the Argentine national team to their third World Cup title. It was a massive feat, and now the head coach is aiming to replicate that success in the 2026 edition of the international tournament.

Argentina have already announced a preliminary roster that includes Lionel Messi but leaves out six world champions from Qatar 2022. However, it has now been reported by Gaston Edul that the list will undergo another cut just a few days after the initial announcement.

“The Argentina national team reserved approximately 35 players with notifications sent to European clubs. They are not going to bring everyone to Argentina,” TyC Sports journalist Gaston Edul said Tuesday on his official X.

How many players will Argentina take to the 2026 World Cup?

Initially, Scaloni put together a 55-man list to let those players know they were in his plans. Nevertheless, with the World Cup just three weeks away, time has forced the manager to suddenly cut several players from the squad.

According to reports, Argentina will announce the removal of approximately 20 players from the initial 55-man list this week. Scaloni will then have to make one final cut to reach the 26-man roster limit allowed by FIFA for the tournament.

With Lionel Messi as captain and an undisputed call-up, Scaloni is set to use the 2022 Qatar roster as the base for the final list. The Albiceleste have several stars spread across the world, leading many to believe Argentina are true contenders to secure the title.

Is Lionel Messi retiring after the 2026 World Cup?

Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the biggest star Argentina have today. Unfortunately, the captain has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will likely be the final one of his career.

While Messi is under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, he is expected to step away from the Argentine national team after the World Cup. Having already secured the biggest trophies with the Albiceleste, he has nothing left to prove in his illustrious and incredibly successful career.

The historic achievement comes nearly 20 years after both players made their World Cup debuts in Germany in 2006. Ronaldo, who was recently nominated for an individual award in Saudi Arabia, will once again lead Portugal, while Messi is expected to captain the defending world champions Argentina.

Beyond the World Cup record itself, both superstars are also continuing their chase toward major personal milestones. Messi currently has 910 career goals and sits 90 away from reaching 1,000, while Ronaldo enters the tournament with 971 career goals, leaving him just 29 away from the historic mark.

Ronaldo and Messi’s best World Cup performances with Portugal and Argentina

Ronaldo’s strongest World Cup campaign came in 2006, when Portugal reached the semifinals in Germany before finishing fourth. While Ronaldo has enjoyed major success internationally with Portugal, including winning UEFA Euro 2016, the World Cup title has remained out of reach throughout his career.

Messi delivered the best World Cup performance of his career during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Argentina captain played a decisive role throughout the tournament and scored twice in the unforgettable final against France as Argentina secured their third world title in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Ronaldo and Messi on the verge of World Cup history

Before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi potentially reach six World Cup appearances, only a select group of legendary players had participated in five different tournaments. Ronaldo and Messi already joined this historic group after featuring in the 2022 World Cup.

The achievement would further separate Ronaldo and Messi from every other player in World Cup history, cementing their place in a category of their own as they move into the 2026 tournament and toward one of the most significant milestones in the history of the competition.

Fortunately for La Albiceleste, the panic was short-lived. According to TyC Sports‘ Gaston Edul, Paz avoided structural damage and is expected to suit up for Como’s high-stakes Serie A season finale. “Nico Paz will play in Como’s next match. He’s definitely on the Argentine national team radar. It could have been worse given the way he was hit, but he’s fine and will be back in action soon,” Edul reported on X.

With the update from the plugged-in journalist, injury anxieties have effectively vanished for the time being. The news comes as a massive sigh of relief for Como, which desperately need a victory over Cremonese to lock up a historic Champions League berth for next season.

Looking ahead, Argentina already know they’ll face David Alaba as Austria confirmed their 2026 World Cup roster, and a healthy Paz figures to be a dynamic option for Scaloni’s final squad if he can close out the domestic season unscathed.

Paz spearheads Como’s historic campaign

The young Argentine playmaker has been the undisputed catalyst for a Como side preparing for their Matchday 38 finale next weekend. Currently sitting fifth in the Serie A table with 68 points, the club has already guaranteed a Europa League spot but remains firmly in the hunt to gatecrash the top four for a coveted Champions League ticket.

Paz has put together a stellar campaign in Italy, appearing in 33 matches (29 starts) while netting six goals. Beyond his scoring threat, the elite prospect has pulled the strings in midfield with seven assists, an 84.1% pass completion rate, and a dazzling 2.4 chances created per 90 minutes—metrics that make him an incredibly enticing option for Argentina’s final World Cup selection.

As Argentina prepare to defend their global crown, depth will be paramount. If injuries or fatigue strike the veteran core, an elite young talent like Paz possesses the exact tournament-altering upside needed to help La Albiceleste hunt down another star for their jersey.

Austria’s manager Ralf Ragnick announced the 26 men that will travel to the 2026 World Cup. Despite not playing much during this season, David Alaba will likely be the team’s captain when on the field.

Other big-time players from the Austria side are Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer, and Christoph Baumgartner. Hence, it won’t be a walk in the park for Messi and Argentina, though they will definitely be favored over Austria.

Argentina vs Austria odds for 2026 World Cup game

While Austria have got big names, Argentina have Messi, and a plethora of world stars that already know how to play and win this tournament. Hence, it’s not shocking to see Vegas odds are really favoring the champs.

Argentina are priced at -135 to win the game, while Austria are +440, and the draw comes in at +280. This means a $135 wager for Argentina returns $100 in profit if they win the game. If a $100 come on Austria and they win, the profit is a massive $440.

Argentina’s other opponents in the 2026 World Cup group stage

Argentina headline Group J. They will play Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. This means Argentina should easily top the group, while Austria and Algeria should fight for the second slot, and Jordan, at first glance, should be the last place.