Lionel Messi returns to ball training as Argentina optimistic over World Cup fitness

There was a significant boost for the defending champions on Thursday as Lionel Messi was spotted back in training with a ball, accelerating his recovery from a hamstring issue just days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 38-year-old captain had been a major fitness concern for manager Lionel Scaloni after suffering “an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring” during a Major League Soccer match for Inter Miami on May 24 . Upon joining the national team camp in Kansas City last week, Messi was initially forced to train separately from the group, working on specific recovery exercises .

However, the latest visuals from the training ground show the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner taking a significant step forward in his recovery.

Following a pre-planned rehabilitation protocol, the forward has now progressed to working with the ball on the pitch. This marks a crucial milestone in his race to be fit for Argentina’s tournament opener .

“Right on Time” for the Group Stage

While the news is positive, the Argentine coaching staff is maintaining a cautious approach to protect their biggest asset.

According to reports from the Argentine base camp at Sporting Kansas City’s training complex, Messi is not expected to feature in the upcoming warm-up friendly against Honduras (June 9) . He may only see limited minutes, if any, in the final preparation match against Iceland.

However, all internal medical signs point to the captain being fully ready for Argentina’s World Cup Group J opener.

“The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his progress, but the idea is for him to peak on June 16,” a source close to the medical staff told local media, echoing the club’s initial diagnosis that suggested a short recovery timeline .

The Road to the Title Defense

The timing of Messi’s return is critical as Argentina seeks to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.

This will be Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance—an unprecedented milestone for a South American player . He turns 39 during the tournament and currently has 13 World Cup goals to his name, sitting just three goals behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 .

Argentina is drawn in a favorable Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. Their full schedule is as follows :

· Argentina vs. Algeria: June 16 (8:00 PM ET) – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
· Argentina vs. Austria: June 22 (12:00 PM ET) – AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
· Argentina vs. Jordan: June 27 (9:00 PM ET) – AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)

For now, the defending champions are breathing a sigh of relief. Their biggest weapon is getting closer to full fitness at exactly the right time .