Lionel Messi is back in the Albiceleste, according to the Argentine Football Association. The 37-year-old missed the last international break due to injury.
Lionel Messi is back in the Argentina squad. The world champion has announced that the 37-year-old is in the provisional squad for the two World Cup qualifiers in Chile and against Colombia in early June.
Messi last played for the Albiceleste in the 1-0 win over Peru in mid-November, but the striker missed the World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil in March due to adductor problems. Messi has played 191 international matches in his career, scoring 112 goals.
From a sporting perspective, the upcoming matches on June 5 in Chile and five days later against Colombia are of secondary importance. Even without their superstar, Argentina already secured their place in the final round of the 2026 continental tournament in Canada, the US, and Mexico in March.
Straight to the Club World Cup?
However, Messi recently left open whether he will still be on the pitch for his country in their title defense. He said he wants to “see how I feel physically from day to day.” After all, the strain is high at such a major event. With 26 appearances, Messi is the sole record holder at World Cups, and in 2022 he celebrated the long-awaited title in Qatar.
But La Pulga already has a busy schedule ahead of him this summer: Immediately after the two qualifying matches, he will compete in the Club World Cup with Inter Miami. On June 14, Inter will open the tournament in front of their home crowd in Miami against Egyptian representatives Al-Ahly.
