Lionel Messi’s former Argentina coach addresses fitness and 2026 FIFA World Cup doubts
Lionel Messi’s absence from Argentina‘s upcoming matches against Uruguay and Brazil has raised concerns about his fitness as he enters the later stages of his career. With mounting injuries, a Messi’s former coach candidly addressed his fitness and the ongoing questions surrounding his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Gerardo “Tata” Martino coached Messi for three and a half years, both with the national team and in MLS, becoming familiar with the routines and habits the player follows to maintain his fitness. In an interview with ESPN Argentina, the former Inter Miami coach was asked about Messi’s potential involvement in the next World Cup, offering a clear response:
“That is purely and exclusively up to him. To me, it seems like a very well-thought-out, very intelligent situation. Even though we’re talking about the best soccer player in the world, when someone reaches a certain age and has had so many years in their career, it’s like in life: you don’t plan the same way at 30 as you do at 70,” Martino told ESPN.
Martino continued, emphasizing the importance of taking a short-term approach to maintain Messi’s well-being: “It doesn’t make much sense to plan for a year and a half ahead when you’re a certain age, with a certain load of matches… I think the position he has is a good one, a good idea. It gives him more chances of being in good form than if he puts the pressure on himself to define today whether he will be in the World Cup or not.”
At 37 years old, Messi’s physical condition and persistent injuries during his time at Inter Miami have raised concerns for Argentina‘s aspirations. This is why Martino believes that taking a short-term approach is the best way to ensure Messi’s readiness for the 2026 World Cup.
Messi’s specific training at his age
Many athletes extend their careers by hiring personal trainers and medical staff outside of the club setup. Messi is no exception, adopting a personalized training methodology at Inter Miami.
When asked whether Messi follows a specialized training routine due to his age, Martino offered an insightful response. “Of course, for soccer players, not only him but other players of a certain age, one has to regulate throughout the week to ensure they arrive in good condition for the matches,” he told ESPN.
Martino further explained Messi’s approach to training outside the team sessions: “Obviously, he has his gym routines, and he has his physiotherapist with whom he works regularly. But generally speaking, when he’s in good shape, he participates in all the training sessions.”