With less than a month remaining before the commencement of the FIFA World Cup, elite football players globally are shifting their focus towards international duties as the domestic club season draws to a conclusion. For the Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, preparation for the tournament began several months ago. Alongside his ongoing competitive fixtures for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF, the forward has initiated an intensive physical training regime to ensure optimal conditioning for the global showpiece.
Continued Rigour at the Career Twilight
Having secured the FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar in 2022, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has achieved every major collective and individual honour available in the modern game. However, despite entering the final phase of his professional career, Messi is not treating the upcoming tournament with complacency. To maintain the physical standards required for international football, the attacker has significantly increased his physical workload behind the scenes.
According to his international teammate, Rodrigo De Paul, both players are operating under a specialised, rigorous training framework designed to peak ahead of Argentina’s World Cup title defence.
Implementation of the “Double Training” Regime
Detailing the extent of their physical preparation in an interview with Lu Del Polo, De Paul revealed that they have been adhering to a supplementary conditioning plan for several months. The system requires both athletes to undergo secondary training sessions outside of their mandatory club obligations.
Rodrigo De Paul stated during the interview:
“Since two or three months ago, outside of what we do at the club, we have our own training plan and the two of us are giving our absolute all to reach the best physical condition.”
The midfielder further elaborated on their collaborative routine:
“We proposed a double shift for ourselves, and we have our own personal trainer there, and we are trying to give our maximum.”
Domestic Form and Approaching International Camp
Messi’s rigorous physical preparation has translated into consistent form in the current MLS campaign with Inter Miami CF. During the current season, the forward has accumulated 12 goals and four assists. In their most recent fixture at Inter Miami’s home venue, the Chase Stadium (formerly termed Nu Stadium), the team secured its first victory at the ground against Portland Timbers, following a sequence of three draws and one defeat. Messi contributed directly to the triumph by scoring one goal and providing an assist.
The timeline and statistical metrics regarding Messi’s current club performance and the upcoming transition to the Argentine national camp are structured below:
Following the final upcoming domestic match against Philadelphia Union, both Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul are scheduled to officially leave the Herons to join the national squad’s pre-World Cup training camp.