Argentina and Lionel Messi set to arrive in KC this week to prep for World Cup
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with left hamstring muscle fatigue.
- ESPN Argentina reported a 10-day to two-week recovery timeline.
- Argentina is expected to begin training in Kansas City later this week.
Lionel Messi touched the back of left leg during Inter Miami CF’s match Sunday against Philadelphia, and fans with tickets to the first World Cup match in Kansas City held their breath.
Messi is the captain of the Argentina national team, which will open defense of its World Cup championship on June 16 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
If Messi, who left Sunday’s game early, wasn’t able to play in that match against Algeria, that would be a blow to fans hoping to see the world’s best player in action.
There was some good news as Inter Miami said Messi departed “due to physical discomfort.”
“After undergoing further medical tests this Monday,” the MLS team said Monday in a news release, “the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.
“The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.”
ESPN Argentina reported the recovery time for Messi should be between 10 days and two weeks. That would allow Messi to play in the opener.
Argentina coming to KC
Although Argentina doesn’t open World Cup play for three weeks, the team is expected to be in Kansas City for training later this week.
The Origin Hotel, which is where Team Argentina will stay during the World Cup, said it will be closed on Thursday, May 28. It then has no availability through July 13.
Argentina signage is up around the hotel, an indication the team soon will be there.
TyC Sports in Argentina shared this report of the team’s plans, along with Messi’s:
“A group of players from the Argentine national team will train this week at the Ezeiza training complex before traveling on Sunday, May 31. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Messi (who is preparing for his sixth World Cup) will join his teammates in training in the United States on Monday, June 1.”
Argentina will hold its training at Sporting Kansas City’s Compass Minerals National Performance Center. If the team is traveling when TyC Sports reports, Argentina should be in Kansas City this weekend.
