The physical status of Lionel Messi is a hot topic as the World Cup approaches. However, the Inter Miami CF forward is not the sole focus for Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni as he finalizes his squad for the tournament.
Messi’s hamstring injury does not threaten his participation in his sixth World Cup. Scaloni stated on Tuesday that the injury appears “not bad,” but the Argentina captain will not arrive at the team’s pre-tournament training camp in Buenos Aires, hosted at the Lionel Messi Training Ground, in optimal condition.
According to Scaloni in an interview with DSports, “The initial assessments aren’t overly concerning. Now we just need to monitor his progress, waiting for additional tests to confirm the first medical findings.”
Messi requested to be substituted in the 73rd minute during Sunday’s high-scoring 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union. On Monday, Inter Miami announced that Messi was experiencing muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, and his return to play will depend on his recovery over the following days and weeks.
Scaloni added, “We all hoped Messi would be fully fit, but that’s not the case. It’s not just him; several players are still recovering from injuries. Our top priority is their rehabilitation to ensure they are in peak condition for the World Cup.”
Concerns about fitness are widespread within the Argentina squad. Qatar 2022 superstar and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez sustained a fractured ring finger on his right hand during warm-ups for last week’s Europa League final.
This injury did not stop him from playing in his club’s win over Freiburg, and “Dibu” is anticipated to be fit for Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16.
Additionally, Tottenham defender Cristian Romero is rushing to recover from a ligament sprain in his right knee. Both Atlético Madrid‘s Nahuel Molina and River Plate’s Gonzalo Montiel, both potential right-backs on Scaloni’s final roster, are battling muscle injuries. Furthermore, Como midfielder Nico Paz missed his club’s final Serie A match due to a knee issue, while Atlético Madrid winger Nicolás González is in the final stages of recovering from a muscle tear.
Scaloni indicated that all injured players will be assessed right up until the final squad announcement, which must be submitted to FIFA by June 2. None of the players listed, including Messi, are expected to participate in Argentina’s warm-up matches leading up to the World Cup.
As a result, Scaloni has broadened his roster for the upcoming friendlies against Honduras on June 6 at Texas A&M Stadium, and Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, Alabama. The manager has included goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán and winger Joaquín Freitas (both from River Plate), midfielders Tomás Aranda (Boca Juniors) and Simón Escobar (Vélez Sarsfield), defender Ignacio Ovando (Rosario Central), and full-backs Nicolás Capaldo (Hamburg) and Agustín Giay (Palmeiras).
“Although they are young and we see potential for them as future national team players, we are bringing them in because circumstances may arise between the release of the initial squad list and our first match,” Scaloni explained. “This time gives us the opportunity to make adjustments.”
The defending champions are set to establish their base camp at Sporting KC’s training facility next week, planning to travel there on June 1. Argentina will kick off Group J play against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, subsequently facing Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27, with the latter two matches taking place in Arlington, Texas.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.