Lionel Messi Confirmed for Record Sixth World Cup with Argentina

Lionel Scaloni has included Lionel Messi in Argentina's 26-man World Cup squad, confirming that the 38-year-old captain will pursue a second consecutive title at his sixth World Cup. Messi, who turns 39 during the tournament, enters the squad on the back of hamstring fatigue that forced him off early in Inter Miami's most recent MLS match.

Scaloni said his staff were monitoring Messi's recovery closely and expressed confidence the forward would be ready for Argentina's Group J opener. The squad also features Emiliano Martínez despite a finger fracture sustained in Aston Villa's Europa League final, and Cristian Romero, who missed the end of Tottenham's Premier League season with a knee injury. Nine members of the 2022 winning squad did not make the cut, including Ángel Di María and Paulo Dybala.

Messi holds the record for the most World Cup appearances by any player with 26, and will join Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo as the only male players to feature in six editions of the tournament. Argentina face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in the group stage, with Scaloni's side widely expected to advance — though injury concerns around their greatest ever player will dominate headlines until kickoff.