Messi misses Argentina friendly with hamstring strain as World Cup nears

Lionel Messi sat out Argentina’s pre-World Cup friendly against Honduras on Saturday at Kyle Field in Texas as he manages muscle fatigue and a mild strain in his left hamstring. The 38-year-old forward remained on the bench throughout the match while Argentina won 2-0. The decision formed part of a careful plan to protect the captain ahead of the tournament.

Team officials have indicated his recovery timeline will depend on his clinical and functional progress after he left an Inter Miami match late last month with the same issue. The approach underscores Argentina’s caution with only days to go before their title defence begins.

Messi warmed up with his teammates before kickoff but did not come on, with Argentina closing out a comfortable tune-up win without their captain. The medical staff are monitoring his workload closely to avoid any setback ahead of the tournament. Argentina next face Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday in their final friendly before moving training to Kansas City.

The world champions are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. During midweek workouts in Kansas City, Messi did conditioning work separately from the main group, reflecting the measured plan around his return. He holds the record for most World Cup matches with 26 appearances and turns 39 later this month.

Argentina manages Messi’s workload

The choice to keep Messi on the bench signals a risk-averse stance as Argentina prioritises his availability for the group stage. The forward’s recent hamstring fatigue, diagnosed by Inter Miami following his abrupt exit late last month, has prompted day-to-day assessments rather than a fixed timetable. With the tournament imminent, incremental progress and player feedback will guide whether he features in the final warm-up or is reserved for the opener.

Argentina’s depth allowed them to control the Honduras match without forcing a return. The staff kept Messi involved around the squad environment while limiting match stress, a common approach for veteran stars managing soft-tissue issues close to major tournaments.

Contenders complete final tune-ups

Elsewhere, several contenders completed their own friendlies ahead of kickoff. Brazil beat Egypt 2-1 in Cleveland, Germany earned a 2-1 victory over World Cup cohosts the United States in Chicago, and England defeated New Zealand 1-0 in Tampa. Portugal overcame Chile 2-1 in Oeiras in a match that finished 10 vs 10, while Belgium eased past Tunisia 5-0 in Brussels. Scotland also won 4-0 against Bolivia as teams finalised preparations.

These results round off a busy international window, with coaches balancing match rhythm against the risk of last-minute injuries. Under tournament regulations, squads can still make changes up to one day before their first matches, keeping roster decisions fluid until the eve of the group openers.

Argentina will monitor Messi through the Iceland friendly and subsequent training sessions, with his availability for the June 16 opener against Algeria to be evaluated based on his response to increased workload.