Messi named in Argentina squad for sixth World Cup

Lionel Messi will represent Argentina at a sixth World Cup. The Inter Miami forward has made 198 appearances for Argentina and could reach 200 caps if he plays in upcoming friendlies against Honduras and Iceland before the tournament begins.

Argentina will play in Group J. The squad begins its campaign in Kansas City against Algeria on Wednesday, 17 June, followed by matches in Dallas against Austria on Monday, 22 June, and Jordan on Sunday, 28 June.

The squad includes five players based in British clubs. Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez are among them. Seventeen members of the squad won the World Cup in 2022, including Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez and Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez.

Messi was substituted during Inter Miami's latest MLS match on Monday. His club said he had not sustained an injury but was suffering from "muscle fatigue" in his left hamstring.

Some notable players miss the squad. Aston Villa attacker Emi Buendia, whose Europa League goal was named the tournament's best, is absent. Forward Paolo Dybala also misses out due to injuries sustained during his Roma season. Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono, aged 18, does not feature. Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni will sit out the first two games of the tournament after FIFA said he abused Vinicius Jr.