Will Lionel Messi play for Argentina vs. Algeria? Latest injury update

Jon Arnold, USA TODAYMon, June 15, 2026 at 10:04 PM UTC

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Everyone wants to see Lionel Messi.

He knows it. His manager knows it. His Argentina teammates know it.

And after suffering a knock in the final Inter Miami match before the World Cup break, it appears Messi will be fit enough not only to play for Argentina in its World Cup opener against Algeria but also to start for the Albiceleste.

"I think I said about Leo, not just us Argentines, but the whole world wants to see him on the field, wants to see him, see him play because that's what he causes in the the whole world not just Argentines," Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said Monday in his pre-match press conference. "It's always been like this for me. I don't see anything negative, sincerely, with him on the field.

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"He's been in different conditions, but he always has been there and always has been fundamental for us. Now, he'll be even more important, and he looks good.

Has Lionel Messi fully recovered from his injury?

The left hamstring injury that Messi's club manager put down to fatigue seems to have fully healed, with Scaloni saying there are no injuries issues his team is currently dealing with — though defender Nicolás Tagliafico is yet to fully reintegrate with the group.

Scaloni said he and his coaching staff struggles to put together the starting lineup "because of the level players in the national have, beyond whether a player is hurt which isn't the case. There are none. We're going to see if Nico Tag does the group work, but everyone's is there. There are no injuries."

After the June 16 opener, Messi and Argentina meet Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Messi play in 2026 World Cup opener for Argentina vs. Algeria?

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