Lionel Messi is available again after a muscle complaint, and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says the captain will play against Iceland in his side's final warm-up before the World Cup. Scaloni intends to control his minutes to avoid any risk, with Argentina opening their title defence against Algeria on June 17. Messi himself says he feels great and was eager to get back on the pitch.
What Scaloni said about Messi's minutes
Messi had been sidelined with a minor muscle issue in the build-up to the Iceland game, which made his availability the main question hanging over Argentina's preparation. Scaloni removed most of the doubt this week, while making clear the captain would not be pushed straight back into a full ninety minutes.
"He is going to play against Iceland. What I do not know is how many minutes," Scaloni told goal.com. "I still have to talk to him during training and see how many minutes he plays to avoid any kind of risk, but in principle, yes, he will get minutes."
The caution makes sense for a player Argentina cannot easily replace. At 38, Messi is managed differently to the rest of the squad, and a warm-up is exactly the kind of game where minutes can be limited without cost. The point of the Iceland fixture is to get him sharp and confident, not to test his stamina.
For Scaloni, what Messi offers the team goes beyond goals and assists.
"Hugely important, as always," the coach said of his captain. "Not just in the dressing room, when he's on the pitch, everything he translates to his team-mates, the atmosphere he creates around him, is something incredible."
Messi's record-setting return against Iceland
Messi did more than tick over in the warm-up. He scored against Iceland, taking his Argentina tally to 117 goals, and the timing of the strike pushed him into the national team's record books as the country's oldest scorer at 38 years, 11 months and 14 days. His age has been reported as both 36 and 38 across coverage of the game, but the milestone cited around the Iceland goal is based on 38.
For Messi, the run-out was as much about confidence as it was about the goal. He had carried the muscle problem into camp and wanted to be rid of any hesitation before the tournament began.
"Enjoying it from the start, I was eager to play for a while since I arrived with this discomfort," Messi told goal.com. "Happy, enjoying every moment, and excited as always. I felt great, I was keen to get started and shake off the fears you have when you have this discomfort, to be able to play freely. We have a week to get everyone fit and ready for the opening match."
The closing line carries as much weight as the goal. Argentina have a short window to get the rest of the squad to the level Messi is describing, and the captain's fitness is only one part of that.
Why Argentina believe they can go again
Messi framed the mood inside the camp as one of continuity rather than pressure. He pointed back to the belief that carried the group through its recent campaigns and argued that it has not faded.
"As always, whenever a competition begins, especially a World Cup, I'm very excited," Messi said. "I said at the time that this group wouldn't let them down, and they proved it this year, competing regardless of the opponent or competition, and continuing to show that they have the same desire and enthusiasm to compete. It's a winning group that always wants more."
He was just as direct about Argentina's standing in the field.
"Have no doubt that it will be difficult for our rivals to beat us because we're a very competitive team," Messi said.
The form behind the talk supports the confidence without settling anything. Argentina go into the World Cup on a seven-game winning run, and they have won four of their last five matches at the tournament itself. For a side defending the title, that is a strong base to build on, even though a friendly result proves little about how the group stage will unfold.
There is a clear limit to what can be drawn from a warm-up against Iceland. The standard rises sharply once the tournament starts, and the fitness of the wider squad, not just the captain, will shape how far Argentina go.
What's next for the holders
Argentina's preparation ends against Iceland, and their World Cup begins against Algeria on June 17. Scaloni has roughly a week to manage Messi's load and get the rest of his players to full fitness for that opener.
The outside view is cautiously favourable. One predictive model run for the BBC placed Argentina at the top of the field, though only narrowly.
"Argentina come out on top, but what stands out most from this simulation is how tight it is at the summit," said James Reade, an economics professor at the University of Reading. "France and Spain are virtually indistinguishable in the model, and England aren't far behind either."
That is the backdrop, not a guarantee, and Scaloni's focus is closer to home. The immediate question is the one he spent the week answering, namely how many minutes Messi can safely take on against Iceland. If the captain comes through that game as planned, Argentina will start their title defence with their most important player available and a week still to spend on the rest of the squad.
FAQ
Will Lionel Messi play in Argentina's World Cup opener?
Scaloni says Messi will play in the final warm-up against Iceland with his minutes carefully managed to avoid any risk. Argentina open the World Cup against Algeria on June 17. If Messi comes through the Iceland game as planned, he is expected to be available for the opener, though Scaloni has stressed the priority is managing his fitness rather than rushing him back.
Is Lionel Messi injured before the 2026 World Cup?
Messi had been sidelined with a minor muscle complaint in the build-up to the Iceland warm-up. He returned to training, says he feels great and was eager to play, and Scaloni confirmed he will feature against Iceland. His minutes are being managed to avoid any risk before Argentina's opener against Algeria on June 17.
When is Argentina's first match at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina open their World Cup against Algeria on June 17. Before that, they play a final warm-up against Iceland, where Scaloni plans to give Messi managed minutes after his muscle complaint.
Can Argentina win the 2026 World Cup as defending champions?
Argentina go into the tournament on a seven-game winning run and have won four of their last five World Cup matches, and one predictive model for the BBC puts them narrowly top of the field. Messi says it will be hard for rivals to beat them. The model also rates France, Spain and England closely, so nothing is settled before the group stage.
Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →