FIFA World Cup 2022: Is Lionel Messi Injured? Questions Arise After Star Striker Misses Practice Session Ahead Of Final

Lionel Messi is an indispensable part of the Argentina football team. The 7-time Ballon d’Or winner is the all-time leading goal-scorer of Argentina and has been in stupendous form in this ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar. With 5 goals already under his belt, Messi has been in instrumental in powering Argentina to the summit clash.

After crushing Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals, the Lionel Messi led Argentina will be squaring off with France in the finals on the 18^th of December 2022. In the last few minutes of the semi-finals, the talismanic striker was seen struggling a little bit with his left hamstring. However, he had reassured everyone that he was “feeling good” after the match.

“I am feeling really good, I feel strong enough to face every match. We knew we would have to run. We prepared in a very good way. I feel very happy about this World Cup. I can help the squad,” said Lionel Messi after the game.

Lionel Messi missed Argentina’s training session on Thursday

But all might not be good news for some football fans across the globe. The global superstar missed Argentina’s training session on Thursday and it seems like his hamstring injury is persisting.

However, there are no concrete reports of Messi sustaining any serious injury and some reports suggest that few of the Argentina players skipper the practice session on purpose and engaged in a gym session.

Lionel Messi would be hoping to win his first FIFA World Cup and thereby add the missing trophy to his illustrious trophy cabinet that has everything. The La Albiceleste is in their 6^th World Cup final and will be hoping to win their 3^rd FIFA World Cup. Argentina has won the title in 1978 and 1986.

On the other hand, France too shall be looking to win their 3^rd FIFA World Cup title. They have previously won the World Cup in 1998 and most recently in 2018. France would be hoping that they become the 3^rd nation to successfully defend their FIFA World Cup title after Brazil and Italy.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 final between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Kylian Mbappe’s France will be one of the greatest football matches of all time as this is the last World Cup game of Lionel Messi. The 35-year-old forward has publicly confirmed this.

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Paul Pogba Prohibited From Attending France vs Argentina Final