Messi sits out Argentina's 2-0 win over Honduras as hamstring concern clouds World Cup bid

Lionel Messi remained on the sideline as Argentina defeated Honduras 2-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly at Kyle Field, Texas A&M, on Saturday, June 6, with the 38-year-old managing muscle fatigue and a mild left hamstring strain ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Messi warmed up with his teammates on the Aggieland turf but did not feature in the match, leaving coach and medical staff to monitor his recovery carefully. The Argentine Football Association has said his return to full training will depend on “his clinical and functional progress” — a cautious framing that underlines the delicate balance between keeping the squad’s talisman fit and giving him meaningful minutes before the tournament begins.

Despite the fitness concern, Messi still made an impression off the pitch, exchanging jerseys with Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed during the visit to one of college football’s most iconic venues.

Argentina’s next pre-tournament fixture is against Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday, June 9 — a final dress rehearsal before the squad relocates to Kansas City to complete its World Cup preparations. The defending champions open their title defence against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium on June 16, before facing Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27 in Arlington, Texas.

Messi, who turns 39 in three weeks, was officially named in Argentina’s final 26-man World Cup squad on May 28 despite the hamstring scare. Inter Miami had confirmed on May 25 that he was dealing with a left hamstring overload, with the club conducting testing — widely understood to include an MRI — before clearing him to join the national team setup.

The timeline is tight but not yet alarming. Argentina have built their entire World Cup campaign around Messi’s ability to perform at the highest level across a potentially seven-game run, and the medical staff will be keen to ensure he arrives at Arrowhead Stadium in peak condition rather than simply available.