Messi could play in pre-cup friendly

Lionel Messi is nearing a return from a left hamstring soreness and may feature in at least one of Argentina's upcoming warm-up matches before the World Cup. Manager Lionel Scaloni provided an update on the superstar's condition Friday, ahead of friendlies against Honduras on Saturday in Texas and Iceland on Tuesday in Alabama.

"Leo is doing well," Scaloni said. "Leo trained for a part (of the Friday practice) with the group, which is important. He’s not fully separated. He’s coming along. He may be part of the friendly matches, getting some minutes in these two friendlies. We’ll see if it’s the one (Saturday) or the next one. But he’s doing a lot better and that gives us tranquility."

Messi, 38, sustained the injury in a May 24 match for Inter Miami, his club's final game before Major League Soccer's two-month World Cup hiatus. Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, are preparing for the tournament where Messi won the Golden Ball in 2022. He has scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 14 matches for Inter Miami this season. Earlier Friday, he was selected for the MLS All-Star team for a match against Mexico's Liga MX stars.

Messi holds numerous international records, including 116 goals in 198 matches for Argentina, the second-highest total in international competition behind Cristiano Ronaldo's 143 for Portugal. He has also played in a record 26 World Cup matches, surpassing Germany's Lothar Matthaus. Messi and Ronaldo are both poised to play in their sixth World Cup, which would set an all-time record.

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Leo is doing well. Leo trained for a part (of the Friday practice) with the group, which is important. He’s not fully separated. He’s coming along. He may be part of the friendly matches, getting some minutes in these two friendlies. We’ll see if it’s the one (Saturday) or the next one. But he’s doing a lot better and that gives us tranquility.