Pre-World Cup friendlies – Messi rested & Leao sent offImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Argentina’s Messi is set to play in his sixth World Cup while Portugal’s Leao was sent off after a mass scuffle against ChileByMandeep SangheraBBC Sport journalistPublished9 minutes agoArgentina great Lionel Messi was rested as the defending champions beat Honduras in their penultimate warm-up game before the 2026 World Cup, while Portugal’s Rafael Leao was sent off in a 2-1 win against Chile.Elsewhere, Brazil, Germany and Belgium each won their final warm-up games prior to the start of the tournament, which is being held across Canada, Mexico and the US, on Thursday, 11 June.Messi, who led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, has not played since being substituted with “muscle fatigue” in his left hamstring playing for Inter Miami on 24 May.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni had reported Messi was “doing well” but chose not to use the 38-year-old against Honduras in Texas.
Scaloni’s side still dominated the match as Lautaro Martinez scored a penalty and Giuliano Simeone added their second in a 2-0 win before the team’s final warm-up game against Iceland on 9 June.
Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who like Messi is set to play at a sixth World Cup, played the first half of his side’s 2-1 win against Chile.
Portugal forward Leao was sent off, along with Chile’s Ivan Roman, following a mass scuffle just before the break.
Leao is set to miss his side’s friendly against Nigeria on Wednesday if given a one-match ban but could miss his country’s opening two World Cup games against DR Congo and Uzbekistan, if given a three-match suspension.
Goncalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes provided the goals for Portugal before Lucas Cepeda scored in added time for Chile.
