While major footballing nations including France, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, England, and Germany have already confirmed their official squads for the upcoming World Cup, the defending champions, Argentina, remain a notable exception. The delay in finalising the roster has drawn significant attention, as head coach Lionel Scaloni navigates a burgeoning injury crisis within his camp.
According to a report by ESPN, Scaloni’s hesitation is primarily driven by the fitness status of several core players. The coaching staff is currently evaluating the recovery timelines for these individuals to determine whether they can endure the rigours of a full tournament or if they must be omitted in favour of fitter alternatives. FIFA has established a firm deadline of 2 June for all participating nations to submit their final squads, and it appears the Argentine management intends to utilise every available moment before making their final decision.
Table of Contents
Key Players Sidelined
The primary source of concern is the captain and talisman, Lionel Messi. Having recently sustained a hamstring injury while playing for Inter Miami, Messi’s readiness is under intense scrutiny. While current projections suggest this injury will not prevent him from participating in his record sixth World Cup, Scaloni has confirmed that Messi will join the training camp in Buenos Aires despite not being at 100% physical fitness.
Speaking to the Argentine television channel D Sports, Scaloni stated:
“The initial reports from the scans are not overly negative, but we need the results of further tests to gain a clearer perspective. Our wish was for Leo to join the squad in peak condition, but the reality is different. He is not the only one; several players have not yet fully recovered, and our primary objective is to facilitate their swift return.”
Extensive Injury List
Beyond Messi, the squad’s defensive stability is also at risk. World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez suffered a fractured finger on his right hand during a training session with Aston Villa ahead of the Europa League final. Furthermore, Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a knee ligament injury.
Argentina’s Current Injury Status
| Player | Position | Club | Injury Type |
| Lionel Messi | Forward | Inter Miami | Hamstring |
| Emiliano Martínez | Goalkeeper | Aston Villa | Fractured Finger |
| Cristian Romero | Defender | Tottenham | Knee Ligament |
| Nahuel Molina | Defender | Atlético Madrid | Muscle Strain |
| Gonzalo Montiel | Defender | Nottingham Forest | Muscle Strain |
| Nicolás González | Forward | Fiorentina | Muscle Strain |
| Nico Paz | Midfielder | Real Madrid | Minor Knock |
Tactical Contingencies
Due to these fitness concerns, Scaloni has integrated several younger players into the squad for upcoming friendly fixtures against Honduras and Iceland. This move is designed to ensure depth in the event of late withdrawals. Scaloni noted that these youngsters are not merely for the future but are essential cover for “potential emergencies.” There is also a strong possibility that senior players, including Messi, may be rested for these warm-up matches to prevent further aggravation.
Argentina is scheduled to begin their base camp at the Sporting Kansas City training complex next week. Their title defence will officially commence on 16 June against Algeria. Given the flexibility of FIFA regulations, Scaloni retains the right to make changes to the squad up until the day before their opening match, provided a serious injury is medically certified.