Lionel Messi’s inclusion in Argentina’s final World Cup roster has delivered a resounding sigh of relief to the defending champions’ supporters, effectively silencing the alarm bells that rang when he clutched his left hamstring during his final MLS outing with Inter Miami. The 37-year-old forward exited that match visibly discomforted just days before the international break, prompting immediate speculation about his fitness for the tournament. However, Argentina’s coaching staff, led by Lionel Scaloni, have deemed him fit enough to be listed among the 26 players set to represent the Albiceleste, a decision that underscores his enduring importance to the national team’s attacking structure.
The hamstring issue, which occurred as Messi was withdrawn from play, had cast a shadow over what was expected to be a routine pre-tournament preparation window. With the World Cup looming, any question mark around the captain’s availability would have been a devastating blow to Argentina’s hopes of retaining their crown. By naming him to the squad without caveat or medical note, the Argentine federation has effectively communicated that the injury is not considered serious enough to jeopardize his participation, allowing the player precious time to recover and sharpen