Lionel Messi will captain the Argentina national team’s defense at the 2026 World Cup, national team manager Lionel Scaloni announced during the announcement of the 26-man squad.
Messi had previously not confirmed that he would take part in the tournament, which would be a record sixth for the 38-year-old.
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Four years after lifting the trophy in Qatar, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was widely expected to lead Argentina again, but an injury sustained while playing for his club Inter Miami put his availability in further doubt.
In addition to confirming Messi’s presence, Thursday’s announcement specifically excluded Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono from the Argentina squad.
Mastantuono, 18, is considered one of the most promising players in Argentine football.
The largest World Cup in history, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will begin on June 11th.
Argentina’s first game will be against Algeria in Kansas City five days later.
Messi’s injury scare in recent days came after he came off as a substitute in the final Major League Soccer (MLS) match in Miami before the World Cup tournament was suspended.
Medical tests in Miami diagnosed muscle strain in his left hamstring.
The MLS club had not given a firm date for Messi’s return after he was abruptly sent off in the 73rd minute of Miami’s 6-4 win over Philadelphia on Sunday.
However, Miami said his recovery time would depend on “clinical and functional progress.”
Scaloni downplayed the seriousness of the injury this week, but confirmed the forward would undergo further tests, although no further updates were provided.
This will be Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance, having previously played in Germany in 2006, South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, and Qatar in 2022.
Seventeen of the players called up were part of the team that won the final against France in Qatar four years ago.
Center back Cristian Romero, who suffered a knee injury last month and hasn’t played since then, also made the squad.
The Tottenham Hotspur captain has been ruled out for the rest of the Premier League season after being pushed into his own goalkeeper by Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.
Argentina’s roster still has 17 of the 26 players who won the title in Qatar.
Young players called up include 21-year-olds Nicola Paz and Valentin Barco.
Palmeiras forward Jose Manuel López, who made his international debut just last year, will also appear.
Other notable absences include Emiliano Buendia, who is currently in great form at Aston Villa, and Roma star Paulo Dybala.
The South American giants head to the United States for pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras on June 6th and Iceland on June 9th.
Argentina’s World Cup group also includes Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Besides Messi, Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are also expected to play in their sixth World Cup this summer.
Argentina’s World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, England), Geronimo Lulli (Marseille, France), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid, ESP)
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate, ARG), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid, Spain), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United, England), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfi) Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille, France), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Facundo Medina (Marseille, France), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon, France).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors, ARG), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami, USA), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Enzo Fernandes (Chelsea, England), Alexis McAllister (Liverpool, England), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis, ESP), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg).
Attackers: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, USA), Nicolas Paz (Como, ITA), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, ITA), Jose Manuel López (Palmeiras, BRA).
