Messi completes hat-trick then exits early as Argentina manage 39-year-old's minutes at World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening World Cup 2026 Group J fixture on 17 June, but his substitution in the 80th minute — just four minutes after completing his treble — has prompted questions about his fitness ahead of their next game against Austria.

The concern is rooted in a recent injury scare. Weeks before the tournament, Messi was withdrawn during an Inter Miami match while clutching his leg, with the club later describing the problem as “muscle fatigue”. At that point he had not yet confirmed he would travel to the World Cup, though he ultimately made the squad.

The signs since then have been encouraging. Messi was an unused substitute in a friendly against Honduras before playing 20 minutes against Iceland. His contribution grew to 80 minutes against Algeria — a clear upward trajectory that suggests Scaloni is deliberately building his minutes rather than reacting to a fresh problem. There is no indication his early exit against Algeria was injury-related.

With Messi turning 39 during the tournament, the management of his workload is hardly surprising. This is widely expected to be his final World Cup, and Argentina will be keen to keep him available for the knockout rounds rather than risk burning him out in the group stage.

The defending champions lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022, with Messi finally claiming the one honour that had eluded him throughout his career. He is now bidding to become only the 21st player in history to win the World Cup twice — a list that currently stands at 20, with Pelé alone having won it three times.