13/06/2026 22:43 - Deportes
Lionel Messi celebrando con la camiseta de Argentina en un estadio moderno, rodeado de trofeos de Mundiales y confeti dorado, iluminación dramática
Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina's national team (affectionately known as "La Albiceleste" — meaning "the white and sky-blue" in Spanish, referring to the team's iconic jersey colors), is preparing for a new chapter in the World Cup 2026. The Rosario-born star, who will compete in his fifth World Cup, has left an indelible mark on every tournament, establishing himself as one of the most influential players in football history.
The forward, who has recovered and is ready for the debut, has shown constant evolution throughout his World Cup career, from his early appearance in Germany 2006 to the definitive glory in Qatar 2022.
| World Cup | Age | Matches | Goals | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany 2006 | 19 years | 3 | 1 | Quarter-finals |
| South Africa 2010 | 23 years | 5 | 0 | Quarter-finals |
| Brazil 2014 | 27 years | 7 | 4 | Runner-up |
| Russia 2018 | 31 years | 4 | 1 | Round of 16 |
| Qatar 2022 | 35 years | 7 | 7 | Champion |
The Qatar 2022 World Cup represented Lionel Messi's ultimate consecration. With an outstanding performance, the Argentine captain led his team to glory, scoring 7 goals in 7 matches and being recognized as the tournament's best player. The victory in the final against France, decided in a penalty shootout after an thrilling 3-3 draw, marked a historic milestone for Argentine football.
Argentina's national team debuts on Sunday, June 16 at 22:00 Argentina time (UTC-3) against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium. The team, managed by Lionel Scaloni (the coach who led Argentina to victory in Qatar 2022), arrives as FIFA ranking leader with 1877.27 points. The tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will be the first World Cup featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.
Date and Time
Sunday, June 16 - 22:00 (Argentina Time / UTC-3)
Venue
Kansas City Stadium (United States)
Group
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Argentina's national team has made some roster changes for the tournament. Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez (Argentina's star goalkeeper, whose nickname "Dibu" comes from a popular Argentine cartoon character he was compared to as a child) trained with gloves for the first time after fracturing his right pinky finger. Meanwhile, Nicolás Tagliafico remains doubtful due to a grade 1 tear in his left soleus muscle. Marcos Senesi was called up as Leonardo Balerdi's replacement.
The squad also transported more than 500 kilograms of premium Argentine beef to maintain the team's culinary traditions. Favorite cuts include bife ancho (ribeye), vacío (flank steak), lomo (tenderloin), and asado de tira (short ribs) — all essential components of the traditional Argentine asado (barbecue), a social ritual deeply embedded in Argentine culture.
The referee appointed for Argentina's debut is Szymon Marciniak (Poland), who also officiated the Qatar 2022 final. The match will be broadcast in Argentina through DSports, Telefé, and TyC Sports.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
