Argentina Makes Lionel Messi Announcement Amid Inter Miami Conflict
Nothing in soccer is bigger than the World Cup, and Lionel Messi knows it all too well.
The Argentina national team captain finally reached the mountaintop in 2022, cementing his international legacy with a triumph over France in the World Cup Final in Qatar.
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As Argentina prepares for the 2026 edition — which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — another World Cup competition has complicated Messi's schedule.
The restructured FIFA Club World Cup kicks off with a match featuring Messi's club team, Inter Miami CF, at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14.
Argentina has a pair of South American World Cup qualifying matches on June 5 and June 10.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on during the first half against Minnesota United.Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images
Messi will have to pick his battles unless the 37-year-old with a history of muscle injuries can manage three matches in nine days on two continents.
With less than a month until the conflict in question, Argentina's latest squad announcement gave an indication toward Messi's priorities.
La Pulga was included on the preliminary 28-man call-up list and featured prominently on the graphic posted by is national team on Thursday. However, is not a final decision.
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Last international window, Messi was listed in the preliminary squad announcement but ended up staying back with Inter Miami amid similar fixture congestion to what is coming up in June. Without him, La Albiceleste still managed to clinch its World Cup qualification bid for 2026 with four games remaining.
If Messi does end up with the national team in June, one possibility is that he only plays one of the two matches or gets used sparingly as a substitute to keep him fresh for Inter Miami's Club World Cup opener against Al Ahly. The Herons will also face FC Porto and Palmeiras in the group stage.
Before that, IMCF has four more matches across the final 14 days of May, beginning with an MLS Rivalry Week clash against Orlando City SC in the Florida Derby on this week's "Sunday Night Soccer."
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Inter Miami has only won one of its last six matches, so a trip to Argentina might be exactly what its frustrated captain needs before embarking on a new World Cup journey.
Related: Lionel Messi's Wife Turns Heads With Outfit Before Inter Miami Game
Related: Lionel Messi's Issue With Inter Miami Teammates Revealed
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