Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed that captain Lionel Messi will not be "fully fit" when he joins the national team for their defense of the World Cup in 2026. The Inter Miami star sustained a hamstring injury during his recent MLS match, raising concerns among fans just weeks before the tournament in North America.

Messi's Fitness Concerns

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, was substituted in the 73rd minute of a thrilling 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union after showing signs of discomfort following a free kick. Inter Miami later explained that the issue was related to muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. Scaloni provided an update, stating that while the injury does not appear to be serious, Messi is not at 100 percent. "The initial updates aren't entirely bad," Scaloni noted in an interview with DSports. "Now, we must wait to see how he evolves, pending the results of further tests to see if they confirm the initial medical reports."

Wider Injury Issues in the Squad

Scaloni's concerns extend beyond Messi, as several players are dealing with injuries ahead of the June 2 squad announcement. Aston Villa's Emiliano Martínez has a fractured ring finger but is expected to be fit for the tournament opener. In contrast, Tottenham's Cristian Romero is working to recover from a ligament sprain in his right knee. The full-back positions are also a concern, with Atletico Madrid's Nahuel Molina and River Plate's Gonzalo Montiel both nursing muscle injuries. Additionally, Como midfielder Nico Paz missed his club's final Serie A match due to a knee issue, while Nicolas Gonzalez is just beginning to recover from a muscle tear. This injury wave has led the coaching staff to make emergency plans for upcoming warm-up matches against Honduras and Iceland.

As the World Cup approaches, Scaloni's focus remains on ensuring that his players are rehabilitated and ready to compete at their best, despite the challenges posed by injuries.