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Scaloni upbeat about Messi’s fitness setback ahead of World Cup kickoff
27th May, 2026 06:23 PM
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has expressed confidence regarding Lionel Messi’s injury situation ahead of next month’s FIFA World Cup.
Messi sustained muscle fatigue after being forced off during Inter Miami CF’s thrilling 6-4 MLS victory over Philadelphia Union on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The club later confirmed that the 38-year-old’s return timeline would depend on his “clinical and functional progress”.
Medical examinations later confirmed that the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. attacker experienced “overload associated with muscle fatigue”, as stated by Inter Miami.
“The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress,” the club further explained.
“We have to wait for his recovery,” Scaloni said during an interview aired on DSports.
“The initial news is not so bad. Obviously we would have preferred for nothing to happen to him, but now we have to wait for his recovery.”
Scaloni is expected to unveil his final 26-player squad by June 1 for the global tournament set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Reigning world champions Argentina national football team will kick off their Group J campaign against Algeria national football team on June 16, 2026, before taking on Austria national football team and Jordan national football team.
Messi injured
Speaking after the encounter, Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos revealed that Messi had struggled with fatigue after competing on what he described as a “heavy” playing surface.
“As far as I know, we don’t have a [medical] report on that yet, but he really was fatigued,” Hoyos said after the game when asked about Messi’s condition.
“He was tired; the pitch was heavy and when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you don’t take any risks.”
Messi has not formally confirmed he plans to play for the defending champions in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what will be a record-equaling sixth appearance at the finals, which are being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
This year’s FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place across United States, Mexico, and Canada between June 11 and July 19, 2026.
