Argentinas Lionel Messi misses pre-World Cup friendly with hamstring injury

Argentina Team Officials Emphasize Clinical Progress as Messi’s Recovery Advances

Lionel Messi sat out Argentina’s friendly match against Honduras on Saturday night, with the team’s recovery time for the 39-year-old star dependent on “clinical and functional progress.” The diagnosis of muscle fatigue in his left hamstring by Inter Miami has been ongoing since late last month.

Argentina will face Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday before resuming their World Cup title defense against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium on June 16. During workouts in Kansas City, Messi participated in conditioning exercises off to the side after the rest of the team.

The Argentine team’s progress is being closely monitored by officials, who are assessing Messi’s recovery pace. The star player holds the record for most World Cup matches with 26 appearances and needs four more goals to surpass Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record of 16.

Other teams have also been participating in friendly matches ahead of the tournament. Brazil beat Egypt 2-1 in Cleveland, while England secured a 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa. Germany defeated the United States 2-1 in Chicago, with Kai Havertz scoring the winning goal in the 57th minute.

Portugal defeated Chile 2-1 in Oeiras, with Goncalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scoring for the home side. The match was marked by controversy, with both teams finishing with 10 men after receiving red cards.

The upcoming World Cup is expected to be Messi’s final international tournament, although his participation remains uncertain due to his ongoing recovery.

Source: Al Jazeera