Messi Joins Argentina World Cup Camp in Kansas City, Expected to Be Ready for Opener

Lionel Messi trained on his own during Argentina’s first practice session at their base camp in the United States. The defending World Cup champions held the session in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday. Messi, 38, has been dealing with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring since May 24.

He joined Argentina at the training base this week and worked on “specific exercises” along with several teammates who are also dealing with fitness concerns. “The players who are suffering from niggles and injuries continue to work with the physiotherapy team on specific exercises on the pitch and are making good progress,” Argentina’s Football Association said.

Messi is expected to be ready for Argentina’s opener against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.

Argentina, ranked number three in the world, will play its final tune-up match against Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, Alabama. Messi is the Inter Miami captain, the two-time MLS MVP and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. He is competing in his record sixth World Cup and remains Argentina’s all-time leader in caps with 198 and goals with 116 since making his debut with the national team in 2005.