Lionel Messi is one step closer to leading Argentina's World Cup title defense, as the legendary forward has been named to the national team's preliminary 55-man roster for the 2026 tournament. Manager Lionel Scaloni submitted the list to FIFA on Monday, with Messi's name headlining a squad that also includes key figures like Julián Álvarez.

At 38 years old, Messi has yet to officially confirm his participation in the tournament, but all signs point to him taking the pitch in North America—where he currently plays his club soccer for Inter Miami. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner famously led the Albiceleste to glory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and recent interviews suggest he's eager to chase a second consecutive title.

Scaloni will trim this preliminary group down to a final 26-man roster, which is due to FIFA by June 1 and will be announced on June 2. Messi's inclusion on the preliminary list removes one major hurdle, though his final selection is widely expected given his continued dominance at the club level. His 2025 campaign with Inter Miami has been nothing short of spectacular, including a memorable MLS Cup victory in December where he was named MVP, and a historic 900th career goal for club and country earlier this year.

For Argentina fans, seeing Messi's name on this list is more than a formality—it's a signal that the captain is ready to write another chapter in his storied international career. As the defending champions prepare to open their campaign, the football world will be watching to see if the magic of 2022 can be replicated on the biggest stage once again.