Lionel Messi is recovering from his injury and could play a few minutes in Argentina’s friendlies scheduled for this Saturday against Honduras and Tuesday against Iceland, before their World Cup debut, Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni said this Friday (5).
“Leo is fine, he has already trained part of the training with the group, he is no longer completely separated, he may participate in a few minutes of friendlies, we will see if tomorrow (Honduras) or the next (Iceland)”, said the coach before the duel against the Honduran team in College Station, Texas.
“He is much better, and that gives us peace of mind,” said Scaloni.
The Argentine national team’s medical team has a lot of work to do, starting with Messi, who suffered a muscle strain in his left thigh during Inter Miami’s last match.
Scaloni also confirmed that Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso will start against Honduras at Kyle Field, as starting goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez suffered a fractured ring finger on his right hand during warm-ups for the Europa League final.
The medical team decided to spare him from the two friendlies, although Martínez is expected to be available for his debut against Algeria.
Scaloni will also give minutes on the field to debutant Santiago Beltrán, the young River Plate goalkeeper called up for the friendlies.
In defense, right-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are recovering from muscle injuries, and the coaching staff called up Agustín Giay and Nicolás Capaldo to replace them in the friendlies.
Defender Cristian Romero is already training with the group after the knee sprain suffered in April, although he is not yet in shape to play: Scaloni will have to decide whether to give him minutes on the field or whether to wait a few more days.
One case to be closely monitored is that of Nicolás Paz, who is training separately due to a serious knee injury. He is out of the match against Honduras and his participation in the World Cup opener is uncertain.
Leandro Paredes and Julián Álvarez also arrived at Argentina’s camp in Kansas with physical discomfort. Although they are progressing well, it is uncertain whether they will play any minutes in the preparatory friendlies.
“The situation is improving. They are doing well and we don’t want to risk them in these games. The idea is that [os jogadores lesionados] do not participate in these friendlies. Definitely not in this one [contra Honduras]. There may be a chance for one of them to play in the second,” he explained.
Next week will be crucial to know “where we are”. “In principle, everything is going very well and we will see next week,” he added.
