Lionel Messis World Cup Hopes Hit as Juan Foyth Suffers Major Injury

Argentina defender Juan Foyth has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during Villarreal’s 2-0 loss to Real Madrid. The injury is expected to sideline him for four to six months, putting his place in the June 2026 World Cup at risk. The setback weakens Argentina’s defense and challenges coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad plans.

For the defending world champions Argentina, preparations for the 2026 World Cup have suffered an early setback after defender Juan Foyth was ruled out with a season ending injury. The tournament is set to begin on June 11, and Argentina were expected to be strong contenders once again under Lionel Messi’s leadership. However, Foyth’s injury has created concern in the squad.

The Villarreal defender was injured during a 2-0 loss against Real Madrid in the 21st minute when he went down while trying to track Jude Bellingham. He was unable to put weight on his left foot and was substituted immediately. Medical tests later confirmed that he had ruptured his Achilles tendon, an injury that usually requires four to six months of recovery. This timeline makes it unlikely that he will return fully fit before the World Cup.

Foyth, who has earned 22 caps for Argentina, was part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup. He was valued by coach Lionel Scaloni for his versatility, playing both as a center back and fullback. Villarreal coach Marcelino described his absence as a major blow due to his experience and leadership.

With Foyth sidelined, Argentina may now rely more on Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, and a recovering Lisandro Martínez. Other options like Leonardo Balerdi, Marcos Senesi, and Lautaro Rivero could compete for remaining defensive spots.