Lionel Messi will be Argentina’s captain in the World Cup hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, national team coach Lionel Scaloni announced this Thursday (28), when presenting the list of 26 players called up.
Messi, 38, tops the list, whose most felt absence was Real Madrid striker Franco Mastantuono, 18.
This will be Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance. Champion in Qatar, the Argentine will have the chance to defend what he achieved four years ago.
Including Messi, Argentina will have 17 players in North America who were part of the victorious campaign in Qatar, where the South American team beat France in the decision played at the Lusail Stadium.
In addition to them, eight players will make their World Cup debut, including striker Flaco Lopéz, from Palmeiras.
Last week, Messi raised the alarm for the current champions after leaving Inter Miami’s MLS game against Philadelphia Union, last Sunday (24), with pain in his left leg.
The Florida team confirmed on Monday (25) that the Argentine star suffered an “overload associated with muscle fatigue” in the hamstring muscle of his left thigh and that the deadline for his return to the pitch “will be subject to his clinical and functional progress”.
“The first news is not that bad. Logically, we would prefer nothing to have happened, but now we have to wait and see how he evolves”, said Scaloni about the number 10’s injury in an interview with the DSports channel broadcast on Tuesday (26).
Argentina debuts in the 2026 World Cup on June 16 against Algeria, in Kansas City, in Group G, which also includes Jordan and Austria.
Before that, the ‘Albiceleste’ will play two preparatory friendlies for the tournament: on June 6, against Honduras, in Texas; and on June 9, against Iceland, in Alabama.
Summoned
Goalkeepers: Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenhman Hotspur), Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Alexis MacAllister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg).
Attackers: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolás Paz (Como), Thiago Almada, Nicolás González, Julián Álvarez, Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), José Manuel López (Palmeiras).
