Buenos Aires: Lionel Messi is set to make history by appearing in his sixth FIFA World Cup after being named in Argentina’s squad for the upcoming tournament beginning on June 12.
The announcement ends recent speculation surrounding Messi’s fitness after the Inter Miami forward walked off during a recent Major League Soccer match earlier this week. However, his club later clarified that the Argentine captain was only experiencing muscle fatigue in his left hamstring and had not sustained any serious injury.
Messi’s inclusion in the squad will further cement his place in football history as one of the sport’s greatest players.
Messi set to equal Ronaldo’s World Cup record
The upcoming tournament will add to Messi’s existing tally of 26 FIFA World Cup appearances, already the highest by any player in the competition’s history.
By participating in the tournament, Messi will equal the record held by Cristiano Ronaldo for the most FIFA World Cup appearances by a player.
The 37-year-old Argentine star continues to play a central role for the national team despite entering the final stages of his legendary international career.
Messi is also approaching another major milestone, with the forward currently standing on 198 international appearances for Argentina.
He is expected to complete 200 international matches during upcoming warm-up friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before the World Cup begins.
Once he reaches the milestone, Messi will become only the second footballer in history after Cristiano Ronaldo to register 200 international appearances.
Argentina retain core of title-winning squad
Defending champions Argentina national football team have largely retained the core squad that lifted the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been included once again after playing a crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph and winning the Golden Glove award in Qatar.
Argentina’s defence will also feature experienced names such as Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez.
The midfield department includes several of the team’s key performers from recent years, including Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez.
Argentina will once again rely heavily on its experienced core as the team aims to defend its world title successfully.
Di Maria absent from squad
Veteran winger Angel Di Maria has not returned from international retirement and remains absent from the squad.
Goalkeeper Franco Armani has also opted against making a comeback for the tournament.
Despite these absences, Argentina still possess a strong blend of experience and emerging young talent across all departments.
Former Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano currently remains the country’s second-most capped player with 147 international appearances.
Argentina drawn in Group J
Argentina have been placed in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
The defending champions will open their campaign against Algeria on June 17 in Kansas City before facing Austria on June 22.
Their final group-stage match against Jordan is scheduled for June 28 in Dallas.
Football analysts believe Argentina will once again enter the tournament among the favourites, given the squad’s balance, experience and winning mentality developed under Messi’s leadership.
The tournament is also expected to attract enormous global attention as fans prepare to witness what could potentially be Messi’s final FIFA World Cup appearance.
Argentina World Cup squad announced
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