Lionel Messi had to train separately during the Argentina national team’s first training session in the United States. Several other players from the defending world champions are also experiencing fitness issues or carrying injuries.
Captain Lionel Messi was forced to train apart from the squad due to a hamstring injury. Previously, the 38-year-old star suffered a left thigh muscle strain during an Inter Miami match. He is currently limited to light exercises and special routines to aid his recovery. Argentina’s medical team is confident that Messi will recover in time to play in their 2026 World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16.
Alongside Messi, the defending world champions’ squad situation is in disarray as a series of other names face fitness problems. Emiliano Martinez, Nico Paz, Leandro Paredes, Nico Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Gonzalo Montiel, and Nahuel Molina also trained separately.
According to an announcement from the Argentine Football Association (AFA), this group of players has been assigned specialized exercises under the supervision of the physiotherapy team. The condition of the seven players is quite positive, and head coach Lionel Scaloni expects all of them to be fit for the opening match.
On the flip side, Coach Lionel Scaloni received positive news regarding the injury recoveries of center-back Cristian Romero and forward Julian Alvarez. Both Argentine mainstays were given the green light by doctors to resume training with their teammates. Romero and Alvarez fully completed the training session with the rest of the squad.
Romero has recovered from a sprained right knee, while Alvarez is also close to regaining 100% fitness after a long spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury sustained on May 5.
On US soil, Argentina is preparing for their next friendly match against Honduras. According to the AFA’s plan, after the Honduras game, Scaloni and his squad will have their final dress rehearsal against Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on June 9.
Exactly one week later, Argentina will kick off their 2026 World Cup group stage campaign with their opening match against Algeria. In the next two rounds of the group stage, the defending world champions will face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27 in Arlington, Texas.
