Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has admitted that captain Lionel Messi will not be "fully fit" when he joins up with the national team for their 2026 World Cup defence. The Inter Miami superstar picked up a hamstring issue in his latest MLS outing, sparking panic among Argentina fans just weeks out from the summer tournament in North America.
Inter Miami provided an update on Lionel Messi after the 38-year-old was substituted Sunday against the Philadelphia Union due to physical discomfort. Following further tests Monday, the club said Messi’s initial diagnosis showed “overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring,” with his return to activity dependent on his “clinical and functional progress.”
Lionel Messi and Co. remain favorites, but strong starts from Nashville, San Jose and Vancouver have the league nicely poised heading into a long break.
Doubts have been cast over whether a stunning GOAT union could take place in the United States as Cristiano Ronaldo joins eternal rival Lionel Messi in MLS. Philippe Senderos has told GOAL that two all-time greats remain on “different paths”, but the American game is being backed to create its own superstars as “football culture” continues to grow.