Lionel Messi is going to a sixth World Cup. Lionel Scaloni confirmed it Thursday, naming the 38-year-old Inter Miami forward as captain of Argentina's 26-man squad — and ending weeks of will-he-won't-he speculation that had grown louder after Messi limped off in the 73rd minute of Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia on Sunday with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.
Scaloni played down the injury all week, and the squad announcement backs that up. But it's still a concern. Argentina's opener against Algeria in Kansas City isn't until June 16 — that gives Messi time — but turning up underprepared to a World Cup at 38, after the emotional weight of winning it four years ago, carries a different kind of risk than a regular-season knock.
The names that didn't make it
The absences are telling. Alejandro Garnacho, Chelsea's electric winger, is out. Paulo Dybala, in decent form at Roma, is out. And most notably, 18-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Franco Mastantuono — arguably the hottest young talent in Argentine football right now — has been left at home.
Mastantuono's omission is the one that will generate the most debate. Scaloni has clearly decided this isn't the tournament to blood him, preferring continuity: 17 of the 26-man squad were part of the Qatar-winning group. That's a calculated bet on experience over potential. Given they're the defending champions, it's hard to argue with the logic — but it's still a statement.
Emiliano Buendia, currently one of Aston Villa's better performers, also misses out despite his form. His club teammate Emiliano Martinez does make the cut in goal, naturally.
Argentina's group and road to the final
The draw has been kind on paper. Argentina face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage — a run that should see them advance without needing Messi at 100 percent for every minute. Pre-tournament friendlies against Honduras (June 6) and Iceland (June 9) will give Scaloni a better read on where his squad actually stands.
Cristian Romero is included despite a knee injury that ended his Premier League season early — the Tottenham centre-back hasn't played since being shoved into his own goalkeeper by Sunderland's Brian Brobbey. His inclusion is a gamble, though the timing of the tournament gives him a reasonable shot at fitness.
The squad has real depth in attack. Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Nicolas Gonzalez and Giuliano Simeone — four of them at Atletico Madrid — give Scaloni options if Messi needs managing. Young call-ups Nicolas Paz (Como) and Valentin Barco (Strasbourg) add freshness without disrupting the core.
Argentina open June 16. Messi's hamstring has roughly three weeks to cooperate.
