Despite having captured every major individual and team trophy available in world football, Lionel Messi is reportedly working harder than ever behind the scenes. Just weeks away from leading Argentina into the FIFA World Cup 2026, international and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul has lifted the lid on the legendary forward’s grueling physical preparation.
At 38 years old, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is voluntarily pushing his body through intensive, private double training sessions outside of his standard club obligations to ensure the Selección is primed to defend their global crown.
Speaking in a candid interview on the Argentine show Lo del Pollo, De Paul widely considered Messi’s trusted on-field lieutenant and close personal friend—revealed that the duo has been secretly running a high-intensity physical program for months to counteract any drop-off in athletic intensity ahead of the tournament.
“Between two and three months ago, we implemented a training plan completely beyond what we do at the club, and the two of us kill ourselves to reach the absolute best physical shape,” De Paul confessed. “We proposed a double shift for ourselves, we brought our personal trainer there to Miami, and we give it our absolute all. You simply cannot live without thinking about the World Cup; the closer it gets, the more those thoughts consume you.”
Age is Just a Number
The immediate, devastating on-field results of this underground physical transformation are plain to see. Far from treating Major League Soccer as a retirement league, Messi has been operating in an absolute state of majestic dominance for Inter Miami throughout the ongoing 2026 campaign.
Following Monday morning’s high-stakes match, Messi’s statistical footprint for the season stands at an incredible 12 goals and 6 assists in just 12 appearances. The extra training blocks have completely revitalized his acceleration and box positioning, allowing him to consistently record multiple goal contributions per game against younger, more physical defensive lines.
Lionel Messi’s 2026 MLS Statistical Blueprint:
• Appearances: 12 Matches Played
• Goals Scored: 12 (Averages exactly 1.00 Goal Per Game)
• Assists Provided: 6 (Totaling 18 Direct Goal Involvements)
• Active Streak: 4 Consecutive matches with multiple goal contributions.
Inter Miami Chases Nashville for the Top Spot
Messi’s relentless World Cup preparation was fully on display as he captained Inter Miami to a historic 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers. The triumph marked the franchise’s highly anticipated, first-ever competitive victory at their brand-new, 26,000-seat Nu Stadium, breaking a frustrating four-match home winless streak.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute via a dazzling sequence of team chemistry. Messi picked up the ball outside the penalty box, shifting it smoothly to Luis Suárez, who immediately picked out Telasco Segovia inside the area. The young Venezuelan midfielder executed a beautiful backheel flick right back into the center of the box, setting up Messi to calmly drill a clinical, left-footed effort into the back of the net for his 12th goal of the campaign.
Eastern Conference Standings Peak (May 18, 2026):
1. Nashville SC — 30 Points
2. Inter Miami CF — 28 Points (8W - 2L - 4D)
Just six minutes later, Messi turned provider, cutting past two Portland defenders on a signature diagonal run before feeding an immaculate centering pass to forward Germán Berterame, who slotted home a right-footed finish to double the lead. The defensive unit, anchored by a stellar four-save clean sheet from Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, successfully defended the lead through the second half to keep Inter Miami within striking distance of Eastern Conference leaders Nashville.
Lionel Scaloni’s Selection Countdown Begins
As the international football calendar edges closer to the June June deadline, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni is preparing to trim his preliminary 55-man provisional roster down to the definitive 26 players traveling to North America.
While Messi’s captaincy is an absolute given, De Paul’s revelation highlights a profound psychological shift within the veteran core of the squad. By bringing an elite, rigorous international training mindset directly into the Inter Miami facilities, Messi is signaling to global heavyweights like France, Brazil, and England that Argentina has no intention of relinquishing the trophy easily.