Lionel Messi is all set for his final World Cup with Argentina after making it into Lionel Scaloni’s squad despite his recent injury scare.
Argentina, the reigning world champions, released their 26-man squad on Thursday, just over two weeks before they begin the group stage against Algeria in Kansas City.
And legendary captain Messi, as expected, is one of the 26 names on Scaloni’s list less than a week after he sparked injury fears by limping out of his final Inter Miami game before the World Cup break.
The 38-year-old’s World Cup break came a touch earlier than expected when he exited in the 73rd minute of Miami’s 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Messi had two assists as German Berterame scored twice during a record-setting first half for the David Beckham-owned team. But he essentially took himself out of play in the 71st minute when he reached toward his left hamstring at least once.
He didn’t even venture toward the Miami bench when he was subbed out for Mateo Silvetti, instead heading immediately down the tunnel to the locker room.
Lionel Messi is set for his final World Cup with Argentina after making Lionel Scaloni’s squad
However, Scaloni is clearly confident that Messi will be fit in time for next month’s opener against Algeria, which takes place at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium on June 16.
The Argentina boss has made some controversial decisions in his final World Cup squad, with Premier League duo Emiliano Buendia and Marcos Senesi left out despite enjoying terrific seasons with Aston Villa and Bournemouth respectively.
Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono also failed to make the cut, while there was no room for Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni.
Emiliano Martinez, Scaloni’s No 1 goalkeeper, is included in the squad alongside backup shot-stoppers Juan Musso and Geronimo Rulli.
Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico and Nicolas Otamendi are among the biggest names in defense, with Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo de Paul and Alexis Mac Allister three of the seven midfielders on the list.
As well as Messi, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among the seven forwards in Scaloni’s final squad.
Messi has said in the past that he would only play in this summer’s World Cup, which will almost certainly be his last, if healthy.
Messi sparked injury fears when he limped out of Inter Miami’s last game before the break
The 38-year-old headed straight down the tunnel after leaving Miami’s win over Philadelphia
The Barcelona icon has already appeared in five World Cups, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player twice – first in 2014, then again in 2022 when he led Argentina to the title. That award has been given out only since 1982, but he is the only player to win it twice.
Argentina is in Group J for the World Cup. Its group stage matches are: Algeria in Kansas City on June 16; Austria in Arlington, Texas, on June 22; and Jordan, back in Arlington, on June 27.
If Argentina wins that group – and the defending champions would be heavily favored to do so – then Messi would play a Round of 32 match in Miami Gardens on July 3.
The only other way for him to play in South Florida during the tournament would be if Argentina is in the third-place match on July 18.
