2026 World Cup: Scaloni gives update on Messi fitness

Argentina's star forward Lionel Messi is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring strain and could feature in brief appearances during the team's upcoming friendly matches, according to coach Lionel Scaloni. Messi has begun training partially with the group, signaling a positive step forward after being sidelined.

"Leo is doing well, he has already trained partly with the group, he’s no longer completely separated," Scaloni stated. "It’s possible he’ll play a few minutes in the friendlies. We’ll see whether that’s tomorrow’s game or the other one." Argentina is scheduled to play Honduras on Saturday and Iceland on Tuesday as part of their preparations for the World Cup.

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Leo is doing well, he has already trained partly with the group, he’s no longer completely separated. It’s possible he’ll play a few minutes in the friendlies. We’ll see whether that’s tomorrow’s game or the other one.

In goal, Juan Musso of Atletico Madrid is set to start against Honduras. This decision comes as the team's primary goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, suffered a fracture in his right hand's ring finger during a warm-up for the Europa League final. Martinez has been ruled out of both friendlies but is expected to be available for Argentina's World Cup opener.

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He’s much better and that gives us peace of mind.

The Argentine squad faces several other injury concerns. Defenders Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are recovering from muscle tears, leading to the call-up of Agustin Giay and Nicolas Capaldo. Center-back Cristian Romero is training with the team after a knee sprain but lacks match fitness. Additionally, Nicolas Paz has been ruled out of the Honduras game due to a knee injury, and Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez are also dealing with physical issues, though they are improving.

Coach Scaloni expressed a cautious approach to managing these injuries. "The situation is improving," he said. "They’re fine, and we don’t want to risk them in these games... In this one (against Honduras), definitely not. In the second, there might be a chance that one of them could play." Scaloni emphasized that the coming week will provide a clearer picture of the team's readiness.

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The situation is improving. They’re fine, and we don’t want to risk them in these games, and the idea is surely that (the injured players) won’t take part in these friendlies. In this one (against Honduras), definitely not. In the second, there might be a chance that one of them could play.