Lionel Scaloni issues latest injury update on Lionel Messi
(Courtesy : Getty)
The Argentina captain picked up an injury during the Inter Miami game.
Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, will not be “fully fit” when he joins the squad for their 2026 World Cup defence, according to manager Lionel Scaloni.
Just weeks before the summer tournament in North America, the Inter Miami star’s hamstring injury during his most recent MLS match caused anxiety among Argentina supporters.
There were obvious concerns about the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s availability for the summer extravaganza after he was substituted during a frantic 10-goal thriller against the Philadelphia Union.
Scaloni speaks on Lionel Messi’s latest injury setback
Scaloni has now given an update on his talisman, stating that Lionel Messi is not 100% recovered, even if the injury is not believed to be serious.
“The initial updates aren’t entirely bad,” Scaloni said 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.”
Lionel Messi appeared uncomfortable after a free kick and was substituted out in the 73rd minute of the 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Later, Inter Miami revealed that their captain was experiencing left hamstring muscle fatigue due to overload.
Scaloni has a significant headache ahead of the June 1 deadline for team announcements due to Argentina’s widespread fitness issues.
Emiliano Martínez, the goalie for Aston Villa, fractured his right ring finger during the Europa League final warm-up, although he is still anticipated to be fit for the tournament’s opening match. The situation of Tottenham captain Cristian Romero, who is hurrying to heal from a sprained ligament in his right knee, is more worrisome.
The issues persist in the full-back positions, where Gonzalo Montiel of River Plate and Nahuel Molina of Atletico Madrid are both recovering from muscular injuries.
In addition, Nicolas Gonzalez is nearing the end of his recuperation from a torn muscle, and Nico Paz, a midfielder for Como, missed his team’s last Serie A game because of a knee injury.
Which injury has Lionel Messi suffered?
left hamstring muscle fatigue due to overload.
When will he return to play?
It has not been confirmed yet.
Is Lionel Messi named in Argentina’s squad?
They are yet to announce final squad.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.