Lionel Messi in World Cup final hamstring injury scare as Argentina captain skips training
Argentina captain Lionel Messi missed Thursday training with a hamstring issue, raising fears over his fitness for Sunday's World Cup final against France.
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Argentina fans hail Messi after reaching World Cup final
Argentina will be holding their breath over the fitness of captain Lionel Messi after he missed training on Thursday with a hamstring issue. With the 2022 World Cup final against France just three days away, Messi isn't at 100 per cent after picking up a knock in the semi-final win against Croatia.
The 35-year-old talisman has unsurprisingly been the heart of Argentina's run to the final, picking up four Man of the Match awards from his six World Cup games. And he stole the show again as Lionel Scaloni's side breezed past Croatia 3-0 to book a date with destiny at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar on Sunday.
However, in the early stages against Croatia, he appeared to be struggling with a hamstring injury, massaging his left thigh off the ball as he surveyed the pitch. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner battled on, though, netting the opening goal from the penalty spot before producing an incredible assist to set up Julian Alvarez's second.
Playing on while carrying a hamstring injury has taken a toll on his condition ahead of this weekend's blockbuster showdown with reigning champions France. According to Foot Mercato, Messi wasn't present at Argentina's training session on Thursday as he's suffering discomfort in his left hamstring.
Lionel Messi missed Argentina training ahead of the World Cup final. (Image: GETTY)
Argentina will reportedly be handed a boost in the final, with Angel di Maria returning to fitness after playing a bit-part role in recent games through injury. But the nation faces an anxious wait for news about Messi's availability ahead of what could be the fairytale end to his international career in major tournaments.
Speaking to the media after the triumph against Croatia, in which he picked up his fourth consecutive Man of the Match award, Messi insisted he was okay after early hamstring fears. And he will be desperate to play through the pain, even if he isn't in prime condition for the France clash.
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Lionel Messi has been Argentina's key to the World Cup final. (Image: Getty)
Messi is entering what could be his final chance to add the World Cup to his incredible football legacy. Meanwhile, France are vying to become the first country to lift back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
The PSG forward has recorded the joint-most goals (five) and assists (three) at the tournament - registering more goal involvements than any other player. And topping it up by lifting the gold could cement his status as the greatest of all time.
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