How Lionel Messi left no stone unturned ahead of one last World Cup
From double training sessions to a late injury scare, Argentina captain Messi has prepared meticulously for what will be his final World Cup.
Lionel Messi will make history today when he takes the field in his sixth FIFA World Cup, becoming the first men’s player ever to reach that milestone.
The road to this tournament has been anything but easy. Ever since leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, Messi has gone through a carefully planned process to ensure he would arrive at the 2026 tournament ready to compete at the highest level.
A demanding road to the World Cup
Physically, Messi left nothing to chance.
From the start of the MLS season, he followed an intensive training program that included two daily sessions. He trained with Inter Miami in the mornings before working with a personal trainer in the afternoons to maximize his conditioning ahead of the World Cup.
Although a minor injury briefly interrupted those preparations in recent weeks, Messi enters the tournament in outstanding statistical form.
Over his last five MLS appearances for Inter Miami, he scored five goals and recorded eight assists. Overall this season, he has totaled 12 goals and eight assists in just 14 league matches.
Injury concern before Argentina’s opener
Messi suffered a left hamstring injury during Inter Miami’s final MLS match before the international break against the Philadelphia Union.
After spending a few weeks on the sidelines, he returned in Argentina’s second World Cup warmup match against Iceland. It took him only two minutes to make an impact, setting up Lautaro Martínez for a play that resulted in a penalty. Messi then stepped up and converted the spot kick himself.
He is expected to be in Argentina’s starting lineup for its World Cup opener against Algeria.
The world will be watching Messi once again. For many soccer fans, he remains the face of the game.
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.