Messi named in Argentina's World Cup squad despite hamstring scare at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi has been named in Argentina’s 26-man World Cup squad despite suffering what Inter Miami described as “physical discomfort” during Sunday’s 6-4 MLS victory over Philadelphia, in which he clutched his hamstring after taking a free-kick before heading straight down the tunnel.

The 38-year-old forward will captain Lionel Scaloni’s side at his sixth World Cup, having made his tournament debut as a teenager in 2006. Argentina are defending champions, having lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022, and 17 members of that triumphant squad have been retained for this year’s tournament in North America.

Among the Premier League contingent, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Tottenham captain Cristian Romero were all included. Romero missed the end of the Premier League season with a knee injury but is expected to play a central defensive role. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also made the squad despite fracturing his ring finger warming up ahead of the Europa League final.

Argentina open their campaign against Algeria on 16 June and also face Austria and Jordan in Group J.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid).

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Facundo Medina (Marseille).

Midfielders: Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Valentín Barco (RC Strasbourg).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Lyon), Nico Paz (Como).