Daijiworld Media Network – Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, May 29: Lionel Messi is set to feature in his sixth FIFA World Cup after being named in Argentina’s squad for the upcoming tournament scheduled to begin on June 12.
There had been speculation surrounding Messi’s fitness after the Inter Miami star walked off during his club’s recent Major League Soccer match on Monday. However, the club later clarified that the Argentine captain was only dealing with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring and had not suffered any serious injury.
The upcoming tournament will see Messi add to his existing tally of 26 World Cup appearances — already the highest by any player in the competition’s history.
With his sixth World Cup participation, Messi will equal Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most FIFA World Cup appearances by a player.
Argentina have also retained goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in their 26-member squad. Martinez, who played a crucial role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph and was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper in Qatar, will once again lead the side’s defence alongside Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez.
The squad also includes key midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez as Argentina prepare to defend their world title.
However, veteran winger Angel Di Maria has not returned from retirement and is absent from the squad. Goalkeeper Franco Armani has also opted against making a comeback.
Messi is also on the verge of another major milestone in his international career. The 37-year-old currently has 198 appearances for Argentina and is expected to complete 200 international matches during upcoming friendlies against Honduras and Iceland ahead of the World Cup.
Once achieved, Messi will become only the second footballer in history to reach the 200-match milestone at international level after Cristiano Ronaldo.
Former Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano remains the country’s second-most capped player with 147 appearances.
Argentina have been placed in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
The defending champions will begin their campaign against Algeria on June 17 in Kansas City before facing Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 28 in Dallas.
Argentina World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martinez.
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo de Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Ezequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez.
Forwards: Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez.