The latest Messi training update showed Argentina’s captain was rested from Sunday’s light field session, rather than sidelined by injury, before the World Cup semi-final against England.
The session mainly involved substitutes and fringe players following Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time quarter-final win over Switzerland. Regular starters received recovery time after the 120-minute match.
Argentine outlet Olé published footage showing Lionel Messi arriving at the training base alongside Rodrigo De Paul, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez. Messi’s absence from the field work, therefore, did not mean he had stayed away from the team facility.
The 39-year-old forward completed the Switzerland match despite suffering a cut near his right eye during a challenge involving Granit Xhaka. The medical checks found no serious injuries.
England are training for the final time before their World Cup semi-final with Argentina 🏴
Declan Rice is with the squad, who looks to have fully recovered from illness 💪 pic.twitter.com/MeaoKiOnnz
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 14, 2026Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez scored in extra time after Alexis Mac Allister and Dan Ndoye exchanged regulation-time goals in Kansas City. Messi supplied the corner for Mac Allister’s opener.
Argentina will face England at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15, at 7 p.m. local time. The match begins at 4 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time on Thursday, July 16.
Read: Messi Becomes First Player to Miss Two Penalties in Single World Cup
England head coach Thomas Tuchel also monitored fitness concerns after his team’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway. Declan Rice was expected to recover in time, while defender Ezri Konsa’s problem was assessed as cramp.
Messi entered the semi-final level with France striker Kylian Mbappé on eight tournament goals. The match will also be Messi’s first senior international appearance against England.
