Argentina coach Scaloni encouraged by news on Messi injury / Photo: CHANDAN KHANNA - AFP
-
Malaysia's Sarawak eyes cloud seeding as haze worsens
-
South Korea women's football body probes 'period' insult
-
World leaders need to see rising oceans in Pacific: UN official
-
Transitional Fashion Essentials for Autumn: Key Pieces from M&S and Joe Browns
-
Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Leak Suggests 12.5-Inch Display and Massive Battery
-
China's Xi and Iran's Pezeshkian in Kyrgyzstan, Putin expected
-
UK Homeowners Advised to Use Peppermint Tea Bags to Deter Spiders
-
Rescuers hunt for missing after deadly N.Cyprus ferry accident
-
Nepal toll surges as rescuers struggle through 'unimaginable' disaster
-
Ethiopia's Abiy could consolidate power as 'executive president'
-
Mauled Australian swimmer recalls punching shark
-
Crude prices rise on US-Iran strikes, equities mixed after Warsh remarks
-
Passengers stranded overnight by Kenya airport strike
-
South Korea court gives Unification Church leader 2 years prison
-
Nepal recovers bodies but presses on for trapped tunnel workers
-
US hosts G20 finance talks with growth, Iran pressure on agenda
-
Grand Canyon flash flood leaves one dead, around 15 missing
-
African players in Europe: Wissa flick seals Newcastle victory
-
Venus Williams falls at first hurdle in US Open
-
Venice film preview: Clooney, Oasis and Musk
-
At least five leaders skip annual Pacific Islands summit
-
Poorly Djokovic crashes out of US Open first round
-
I.Coast home-hunters' saga highlights Africa housing crunch
-
Djokovic falls in US Open first round, earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years
-
At least five leaders to skip annual Pacific Islands summit
-
Chinese guitar capital's stairway to export heaven
-
Latest developments in the US-Iran war
-
Stocks drop as Warsh fans US rate hike bets, crude up on US-Iran strikes
-
Nepal buries dead as rescuers seek thousands missing
-
Injuries cloud tennis as US Open gets under way
-
From Montecito to the Cotswolds: Harry and Meghan eye new UK home
-
Iran retaliates after first US strikes in a month
-
Russia's Putin and China's Xi to attend summit in Kyrgyzstan
-
Itauma says 'I'll be back' after bruising heavyweight title loss
-
John Ternus to lead Apple into the age of AI
-
Brilliant Palou clinches fourth straight IndyCar crown
-
Trump calls for 'punishment' of NBC reporter
-
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping Joins BioAdaptives to Champion MyndSystem(TM)
-
EN China XLX Announces 2026 Interim Results
-
US strikes Iran for first time in a month, Tehran retaliates
-
About 15 people missing after Grand Canyon flash flood
-
Yin holds off Kim to win sixth LPGA title, end title drought
-
Medvedev advances without drama at US Open
-
Top-ranked Scheffler storms to PGA Tour Championship win
-
Calhanoglu fires Inter to nervy Cagliari win, Como stun Napoli
-
Root urges England to be 'grown-ups' after Pakistan series win
-
Monaco beat Marseille to go top, Rosenior's Paris FC thump Nice
-
Google Maps renames Lake Ontario 'Lake America' in US -- but not Canada
-
Pegula shakes off nerves in US Open first-round win
-
Aaron Donald ends retirement to rejoin Rams: team
Argentina coach Scaloni encouraged by news on Messi injury
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the initial news regarding superstar Lionel Messi's fitness "is not that bad" and hopes further examinations will confirm that diagnosis with the World Cup just a fortnight away.
Messi has been diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring by his Major League Soccer club Inter Miami after he made an abrupt exit from Miami's 6-4 victory over Philadelphia in the 73rd minute on Sunday.
Even at 38 and eying a sixth World Cup finals appearance, Messi remains the side's talisman for the defence of the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
"Obviously we would have preferred that nothing had happened," Scaloni told Argentinian TV station DSports on Tuesday.
"Now one has to wait and see how it evolves and above all the new tests they are going to conduct in order to see if it confirms their original diagnosis."
Scaloni, who is due to name his squad next week, added he had watched the match on TV at the federation's headquarters and been relieved that Messi had asked to come off.
Inter manager Guillermo Hoyos explained after the match Messi was tired, the pitch was heavy and no-one wanted to take a risk with his fitness.
Inter Miami issued a statement on Monday saying: "The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress."
That gave little indication about the status of the eight-time Ballon D'Or winner.
Argentina are set to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.
They then play Austria on June 22 and round off their Group J campaign against Jordan on June 28.
Messi has managed his workload since joining Inter Miami in 2023, with team staff regularly excusing him from matches in congested fixture periods.
MLS has started a break in its season for the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Messi has not formally confirmed he plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the finals.
His great Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo and potentially Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa would also be making a sixth appearance.
Argentina are set to play two pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9, both in the United States.
Y.Kobayashi--AMWN
