Messi Included In Argentina Squad For Potential Sixth World Cup Record

Defending champions Argentina national football team have named captain Lionel Messi in their 26-man squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, putting the veteran forward on track to make a historic sixth appearance at the tournament.

The 38-year-old was included in the squad announced on Thursday by head coach Lionel Scaloni despite recent fitness concerns following an injury scare while playing for Inter Miami CF.

Messi was forced off during Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer clash against the Philadelphia Union last week after experiencing discomfort in his left hamstring.

The club later confirmed that the Argentine star suffered muscle fatigue linked to overload, with his return expected to depend on his recovery progress over the coming weeks.

“The initial updates aren’t entirely bad. Now, we must wait to see how he evolves,” Scaloni said earlier this week.

“We all wished Messi could have joined the squad fully fit, but that isn’t the reality. Our main priority now is their rehabilitation to ensure they reach the World Cup in peak condition,” the coach added.

Messi is now set to become the first player in men’s football history to feature in six World Cups alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

Argentina will begin their title defence against Algeria national football team on June 16 in Kansas City before facing Austria national football team and Jordan national football team in the group stage.

Scaloni retained 17 players from the squad that won the last World Cup as Argentina seek to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the title.

Among those selected are Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Julián Álvarez.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was also included despite suffering a fractured finger during last week’s Europa League final involving Aston Villa FC.

Defender Cristian Romero also made the squad while recovering from a knee ligament injury, alongside full-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, who are both returning from muscle-related injuries.

However, Franco Mastantuono, Marcos Senesi and Emiliano Buendía were left out of the final squad.