Dem don scare us small, but now e clear — Lionel Messi go dey for World Cup 2026. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni don confirm di 38-year-old legend as captain of di Albiceleste squad wey dem go carry go North America. After all di injury gist and worry wey don dey fly around, Argentina don come out to say: Messi fit, Messi ready, Messi go lead us.
But e no mean say everything 100% smooth. Di man still dey manage some physical issues, and him name dey among several players wey don dey train separately with di physiotherapy team. Na inside Inter Miami e first pick up di injury, and e been cast doubt on whether di eight-time Ballon d’Or winner go even make di tournament.
Di Injury Wahala
According to Argentina Football Association statement wey dem release to ESPN, dem say: “Di players wey dey manage niggles and injuries continue to work with di physiotherapy team on specific exercises on di pitch, and dem dey make good progress.” Apart from Messi, players like Emiliano Martínez, Nico Paz, Leandro Paredes, Nico González, Thiago Almada, Gonzalo Montiel, and Nahuel Molina don also dey training apart.
But good news: Cristian Romero and Julián Álvarez don clear and dem go be available for Argentina friendly against Honduras on June 6.
Di Plan: Messi Go Be Available For June 16
Argentina dey target di opening group match on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri. Scaloni and di medical team dey confident say Messi go be ready by then, even if dem still dey manage him carefully for now. Di coach don already admit say dem go “wait and see” concerning how fast e go be ready, but di spirit dey positive.
Argentina go play two warm-up friendlies before di tournament start. Di first one na against Honduras on June 6 for Kyle Field — di American football stadium for Texas A&M wey get capacity of over 102,000. Di second one na against Iceland for June 9 for Jordan-Hare Stadium for Auburn. Both of dem go serve as final test before di real koko begin.
Di Squad Wey Scaloni Don Name
Scaloni don call 26 men for this tournament — and 17 of dem na players wey don already lift di trophy for Qatar 2022. Amongst di key returnees na Messi himself, Rodrigo De Paul (him Miami teammate), Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, and Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez.
One notable absence na Franco Mastantuono, di 18-year-old Real Madrid wonder kid wey plenty people expect to see. Scaloni chose experience over hype — and e make sense, considering wetin dey on di line.
Di Group and Di Road Ahead
Argentina dey Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Dem go face Algeria for June 16 (Kansas City), Austria for June 22 (Arlington, Texas), and Jordan for June 27 (also Arlington). On paper, e no be di hardest group — but football no follow paper.
If Argentina go win this tournament, dem go become di first back-to-back champions since Brazil did am for 1958 and 1962. Na massive legacy wey dey on di table.
Na Messi Last Dance
E dey clear to everybody say dis na Messi last World Cup. After Qatar 2022, e already show emotional goodbye for Argentina soil — dem beat Venezuela 3-0, and e cry like small boy when e dey wave to di crowd at Estadio Mas Monumental. Him family dey there. Di whole stadium dey cry with am.
Now e go write di final chapter for North America — di same continent where e don dey live and play for Inter Miami. E go be a homecoming of sorts. Whether he lift another trophy or not, wetin dis man don give to football go remain for always.
Watch out for di Argentina vs Honduras friendly on June 6. Dat one go tell us plenty about how ready Messi and the squad really be.
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