Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLionel Messi is recovering well from a recent muscle strain sustained while playing for Inter Miami, which had raised concerns about his fitness for the World Cup. Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, confirmed Messi has started training with the group and is improving significantly. Scaloni expressed hope that Messi might play for a few minutes in one of Argentina's final World Cup warm-up matches. Argentina is scheduled to play Honduras in Texas and Iceland in Alabama as their final friendlies before the tournament. Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022, is set to participate in his sixth World Cup, with their title defence beginning against Algeria on 16 June. In fullArgentina boss provides update on Lionel Messi’s fitness ahead of World CupThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

BUENOS AIRES, June 5 : Lionel Messi is recovering well from a recent muscle injury and could feature in Argentina's final World Cup warm-up matches, coach Lionel Scaloni said on…

Lionel Messi has taken a step forward in his injury recovery and could play a few minutes in Argentina's upcoming friendlies before their World Cup opener, coach Lionel Scaloni…

Coach Lionel Scaloni provides a crucial Messi fitness update ahead of the 2026 World Cup, detailing his recovery and potential friendly appearances.

Messi had given Argentina an injury fright when he suffered a muscle strain playing for Inter Miami

"Leo is doing well, he has already trained partly with the group, he's no longer completely separated," Scaloni said.

Messi limped out of Inter Miami’s final pre-World Cup match with a hamstring problem.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

Messi is recovering from left hamstring muscle fatigue which forced him to prematurely exit his final Inter Miami match

Lionel Messi will feature in Argentina's final World Cup warm-up match against Iceland. Coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed Messi will play, managing his minutes carefully. Several…

Lionel Messi is confirmed to return for Argentina's final World Cup warm-up match against Iceland. Get the latest on his fitness and Argentina's squad upda