Scaloni names Messi captain for 2026 World Cup despite hamstring concerns

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has officially appointed Lionel Messi as captain for the 2026 World Cup, confirming the forward’s availability despite recent injury concerns. Scaloni unveiled a 26-man squad for the tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, dismissing fears regarding the 38-year-old’s fitness. Messi, who recently suffered left hamstring muscle fatigue while playing for Inter Miami, will make his sixth World Cup appearance, having previously participated in tournaments in Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Russia, and Qatar.

The squad retains 17 players from the team that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, signalling a strong continuity in the national team’s structure. However, the announcement notably excluded Real Madrid prospect Franco Mastantuono, an 18-year-old considered one of the brightest talents in Argentinian football. Other notable absentees include Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa and Roma star Paulo Dybala, as the coaching staff opted for a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging young players such as 21-year-olds Nicolas Paz and Valentin Barco.

Messi’s participation had been thrown into doubt after he was substituted in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami’s final Major League Soccer fixture before the World Cup break. Medical tests diagnosed him with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, and while the club stated his recovery would depend on clinical progress, no clear timetable was provided. Scaloni has played down the seriousness of the injury but confirmed that Messi will undergo further tests, with no update on his specific return timeline yet available.

Despite the injury scare, centre-back Cristian Romero was included in the squad. The Tottenham Hotspur captain suffered a knee injury last month and was ruled out for the remainder of the Premier League season after being shoved into his own goalkeeper by Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey. His inclusion suggests the medical staff are confident in his readiness for international duty, alongside other key figures such as goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.

Argentina begins their campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, following pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9 in the United States. The South American giants are drawn in a group that also contains Austria and Jordan. As the largest ever World Cup approaches, Messi’s leadership remains central to Argentina’s strategy, with Scaloni aiming to replicate the success of the 2022 victory in Qatar.