Lionel Messi Set to Play in Argentina's Final Warm-Up Before FIFA World Cup 2026

Messi's Anticipated Return

Lionel Messi is poised to make his return for Argentina in their last warm-up match prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Messi will participate in the game against Iceland on Tuesday in Auburn, Alabama. The star player missed Argentina's recent 2-0 friendly win over Honduras on June 6, despite being present for the pre-match warm-up, as he was still recovering from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. The Inter Miami forward joined the national team camp after feeling discomfort during an MLS match against the Philadelphia Union before the league's break for the World Cup.

Scaloni Discusses Player Management

Ahead of the match against Iceland, Scaloni emphasized the importance of managing player workloads, particularly for Messi, who has won the Ballon d'Or eight times. "Messi will play, but I am unsure about the duration," Scaloni stated during a press conference. "I need to discuss it with him during today's training session to determine how many minutes he can safely play. We will make a decision, but he is expected to participate."

The coach also mentioned that they would closely monitor the minutes played by the squad as they gear up to defend their title. "We will distribute the playing time among the players to minimize any risks," he added.

Fitness and Injury Updates

Scaloni confirmed that players Nico Paz, Nahuel Molina, and Gonzalo Montiel are fit for selection after recovering from injuries that had previously sidelined them. Additionally, he provided encouraging news regarding Julian Alvarez and Leandro Paredes, who had been facing fitness issues. "Julian Alvarez is improving; his ankle discomfort is subsiding," Scaloni noted. "Leandro Paredes is also progressing well and should be able to rejoin the team shortly."

Argentina is currently considering options to replace defender Leonardo Balerdi, who was ruled out of the World Cup due to a calf injury sustained last week. "We will have a clearer understanding of his replacement after tomorrow's match," Scaloni remarked. "We can fill Balerdi's position, but we are also exploring other alternatives based on the recovery of the injured players."

Argentina's World Cup Schedule

Argentina will kick off their World Cup journey against Algeria on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan in Group J.