Lionel Messi has sparked injury concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after asking to be substituted during Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia.
The 38-year-old Inter Miami star started Argentina’s 1-1 draw at River Plate’s Monumental Stadium but was replaced in the 78th minute. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni revealed that Messi himself requested the substitution, though the exact reason for the decision was not disclosed.
“Leo wasn’t going to come off, but he ended up coming off near the end,” Scaloni told reporters after Thiago Almada rescued a point for Argentina. “He told me it was better for him to come off, and so we decided to change him.”
The soon-to-be 39-year-old Messi has made it clear he is prioritizing the 2026 World Cup, having picked up a hamstring injury in his last game against the Ecuadorian team Barcelona. He has since been on “autopilot” to ensure he is physically fine and mentally sharp until the World Cup.
Messi previously trained “with lots of fear” due to a thigh injury ahead of Copa America matches, raising concerns about his fitness for major tournaments. The severity of any current issue forcing him off remains undisclosed, but the timing has naturally prompted speculation about his availability for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Argentina’s World Cup campaign is set to be Messi’s fifth and final chance to lift football’s most prestigious trophy, making his fitness crucial for the defending champions.
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