Lionel Messi, 38, captains Argentina at the 2026 World Cup after being named in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad. Messi led Argentina to a third World Cup title in Qatar and holds the record for the most World Cup matches, with 26 appearances. He will join Cristiano Ronaldo as the only male players to appear in a sixth World Cup. Emiliano Martinez is selected as goalkeeper, along with defenders Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero. Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez represent British-based players in the squad. The tournament is held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Argentina are placed in Group J, starting against Algeria in Kansas City on 17 June, then playing Austria on 22 June and Jordan on 28 June. Messi is recovering from left hamstring muscle fatigue after being substituted in an Inter Miami match.
"Messi had been substituted during Inter Miami's latest Major League Soccer match on Monday, but his club said he had not sustained an injury and was suffering from "muscle fatigue" in his left hamstring. He has made 198 appearances for Argentina and will reach the 200-mark if he plays in both of his country's friendly matches - against Honduras on 6 June in Texas and then against Iceland three days later in Alabama."
Read at www.bbc.com
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