Lionel Messi marked his return from injury with a composed goal as Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 in their final warm-up match ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, offering a timely boost to the reigning champions before the start of their title defence. The Argentine captain Lionel Messi, who is set to turn 39 in a matter of days, began the match on the bench as he continued recovery from muscle fatigue and a minor left hamstring strain sustained during his club season with Inter Miami on May 24.

Team management opted for a cautious approach, limiting his workload ahead of the tournament. Argentina controlled much of the match against Iceland, maintaining defensive stability and rotating attacking options throughout the first half. The coaching staff used the fixture to fine-tune combinations and assess squad depth, ensuring key players were not overexerted in a pre-tournament setting.

Messi was introduced in the 70th minute to a strong reception, and his impact was immediate. Shortly after his arrival, Argentina were awarded a penalty following a foul on Lautaro Martínez inside the box. The forward stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick with a powerful left-footed finish in the 72nd minute, extending his remarkable international scoring record.

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The goal reinforced Argentina’s dominance in the contest and highlighted Messi’s continued importance to the squad, even in a reduced role due to fitness management. He remains the all-time top scorer for the national team with 117 goals, a record that continues to underline his influence on Argentina’s sustained success at international level. The performance also provided reassurance for Argentina’s coaching staff as they finalize preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The reigning world champions, who lifted the trophy in 2022, are aiming for a fourth World Cup title after previous victories in 1978, 1986, and 2022. Argentina are scheduled to begin their tournament campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City as part of Group J, which also includes Austria and Jordan. The result against Iceland is expected to strengthen confidence within the squad as they enter the competition with momentum and a carefully managed leadership structure centered around Messi’s fitness and availability.

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