Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Lionel Messi is making good progress in his recovery from injury and could feature in one of the team’s final warm-up matches before the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Argentina captain has been recovering from a left hamstring strain suffered while playing for Inter Miami, raising concerns over his readiness for the World Cup. However, Scaloni delivered encouraging news ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Honduras in Texas.
“Leo is doing well. He has already trained partly with the group and is no longer working completely separately,” Scaloni told reporters on Friday.
“It’s possible he will play a few minutes in one of the friendlies. We’ll decide whether that’s tomorrow or in the second game.”
Defending world champions Argentina face Honduras on Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station before taking on Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday as they complete preparations for the tournament.
“He’s much better and that gives us peace of mind,” Scaloni added.
While Messi’s recovery is progressing, Argentina continue to manage several injury concerns ahead of their World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.
Goalkeeper Juan Musso will start against Honduras after first-choice keeper Emiliano Martinez suffered a fractured finger during the warm-up before the Europa League final. Argentina’s medical staff have decided Martinez will sit out both friendlies, although the Aston Villa goalkeeper is expected to be available for the World Cup.
Scaloni also confirmed that young River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltran will receive playing time during the friendlies after earning his first senior call-up.
In defence, Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are recovering from muscle injuries, prompting Argentina to call up Agustin Giay and Nicolas Capaldo as temporary replacements for the warm-up matches.
Central defender Cristian Romero has returned to group training after recovering from a knee sprain suffered in April, although he has yet to regain full match fitness. Scaloni will decide in the coming days whether to give him minutes before the tournament begins.
Midfielder Nicolas Paz remains a concern after suffering a heavy knock to the knee. He has been ruled out of the Honduras match and faces a race against time to be ready for Argentina’s World Cup opener.
Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez have also arrived in camp carrying minor physical issues. While both are improving, Scaloni suggested the coaching staff are unlikely to take risks before the tournament.
“The situation is improving,” Scaloni said. “They’re doing well, but we don’t want to risk anyone. For the first friendly they definitely won’t play. For the second one, there could be a possibility for one of them.”
Argentina will continue to assess the condition of several key players over the coming week as they aim to begin their World Cup title defence at full strength.
“For now everything is going quite well,” Scaloni said. “Next week will tell us exactly where we stand.”
