Scaloni Confirms Messi Will Play Friendlies, Remains Hopeful for World Cup Appearance

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — With less than 80 days until the start of the World Cup, Argentina’s participation with captain Lionel Messi remains uncertain. However, head coach Lionel Scaloni expressed optimism and confirmed Messi will feature in upcoming friendlies as preparations intensify for the tournament in North America.

“We are not in a hurry,” Scaloni said Thursday during a press conference. “We know that whatever he decides will be best, both for the team and for him. Let’s hope that is to play.”

The 38-year-traditional Messi has yet to publicly confirm whether he will participate in his sixth FIFA World Cup. The uncertainty stems from a demanding schedule and the need to prioritize his physical and mental well-being as he approaches what is widely expected to be his final international tournament.

“From my side, I will do everything possible for him to be there… For the good of football, he has to be there, but I am not the one who decides. It will be him, his state of mind and his physical condition,” Scaloni stated. “He is the one who decides. He has earned the right to be able to decide calmly.”

Messi to Feature in Upcoming Friendlies

Scaloni confirmed that Messi, who also captains Inter Miami, will play in both of Argentina’s upcoming friendly matches against Mauritania on Friday and Zambia next Tuesday. Both games will be played at the Estadio La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, providing a chance for Argentine fans to see their captain in action before the World Cup. These matches serve as crucial preparation and evaluation opportunities ahead of Scaloni’s final squad announcement for the tournament, which begins June 11th in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

“Leo will play both, I don’t know how many minutes, but he will be in both,” Scaloni revealed. “It’s a nice opportunity to see him on the field and for (the fans) to enjoy what we enjoy every time he’s here.”

Addressing the Cancellation of the Finalissima

Scaloni also addressed the recent cancellation of the Finalissima, the match between the Copa América champions (Argentina) and the European champions (Spain), which was scheduled to be played in Qatar on March 27th. The cancellation was due to circumstances surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“I think it’s not anyone’s fault, football is a secondary issue in this case,” Scaloni said, acknowledging the broader geopolitical context. He refrained from commenting on the lack of agreement between the football federations of both countries regarding relocating the match.

“we have to take the positive. We have two friendlies and we have to respect the opponents and take advantage of the opportunity to see the boys,” he added.

World Cup Preparation and Tactical Considerations

Scaloni addressed criticism regarding Argentina’s choice of friendly opponents, which have largely been teams considered to be of lower quality since their World Cup triumph in Qatar. He defended the approach, emphasizing that the focus is on preparation and evaluating players rather than solely seeking challenging matches.

“Playing against the best doesn’t guarantee anything, and this doesn’t guarantee anything either,” Scaloni explained. “What we have to do is face what comes. We leverage the positive aspects. The result will tell us if we were right or not. It’s not pure mathematics.”

Argentina is scheduled to play a friendly against Serbia in the days leading up to the start of the World Cup, with another friendly still being finalized. This will provide further opportunities for Scaloni to assess his squad and refine his tactics.

Mastantuono’s Late Call-Up

Scaloni explained the late inclusion of 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono, a young player with limited playing time at Real Madrid, into the Argentina squad. Initially, Mastantuono hadn’t been called up due to the confirmation of only one friendly match. However, with the addition of the Zambia match, Scaloni invited him to join the team.

“I value his desire to be here. We are happy with him. He is an 18-year-old boy… he needs time and he is at a very demanding club, the most demanding in the world. And that makes everything seem bigger,” Scaloni said. He was less definitive about Mastantuono’s chances of making the final World Cup squad.

“We will provide all the support and, above all, make him understand that he needs to take things slowly and that his career is just beginning and needs to progress,” Scaloni indicated.

Concerns About the Heat

Scaloni expressed concerns about the potential impact of the summer heat in North America on the World Cup tournament. He criticized FIFA’s scheduling decisions, suggesting that match times may not be optimal for player performance.

“It’s impressive heat. What worries me most are the schedules,” Scaloni said. “They may not be suitable for players. Diego (Maradona) complained about the same thing in Mexico (1986) and nothing has changed. Nothing happened.”

He also commented on the chosen location for the team’s base in Kansas City, stating, “They say it’s very beautiful. I haven’t been. They showed me photos. We don’t look for luxury, but to be comfortable. That it has the minimum comforts.”

Argentina, having previously won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, will initiate their campaign against Algeria on June 16th in Group J. They will then face Austria on June 22nd and Jordan on June 27th.

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The coming friendlies offer a crucial opportunity for Lionel Messi and Argentina to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the World Cup. The team’s performance and Messi’s fitness will be closely watched as they aim to defend their title on North American soil. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of Argentina’s World Cup journey.

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