Lionel Messi will captain holders Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, a record sixth appearance at the tournament for the forward, who turns 39 during the finals. He was named in Lionel Scaloni's 26-man squad on Thursday, four years after leading Argentina to the title in Qatar with a penalty-shootout win over France. Coach Scaloni played down a fitness scare, Al Jazeera reported, after Messi was withdrawn from an Inter Miami match on Monday. The finals this summer will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
What is the milestone? Messi holds the record for most World Cup appearances with 26 and will become only the second male player, alongside Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, to feature at six editions, the BBC reported. He has scored 116 goals in 198 appearances for Argentina and could reach 200 caps in June friendlies against Honduras and Iceland.
Who else made the squad? Scaloni named 17 players from the 2022-winning side, including Emiliano Martínez, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández. Emiliano Martínez, voted the best goalkeeper at the last tournament, is among five squad members based at English clubs. Argentina were drawn in Group J and open against Algeria in Kansas City on 17 June before facing Austria and Jordan in Dallas.
Was his fitness in doubt? Messi's club said he had not been injured and was managing "muscle fatigue" in his left hamstring, the BBC reported. Notable absentees included Emi Buendía, Paulo Dybala and the 18-year-old Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono.
Figures referenced: Lionel Messi. — JudgeMarket.
