Lionel Messi during an Argentina practice session
Photo : AP
Argentina will host Ecuador in an international friendly at the Soldier Field in Chicago. The anticipation has already started whether Lionel Messi will take part in the match.
Messi has had an injury ravaged season as he has missed a few matches for Inter Miami in the MLS due to his injury concerns. But manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed the 36 year old will feature against Ecuador but he is unlikely to be involved for full ninety minutes given his recent injury problems.
“People will be able to see Messi tomorrow. He will surely play for a while. We are going to think carefully about the minutes that each one will have to be healthy for the debut.”
“Messi I imagine he will play, I don’t know if the whole game, 30 minutes, 60, whatever. But people are going for it to be able to see what is the most important thing.”
If Messi doesn’t start the game then Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez could be given the responsibility to lead the attack. But Scaloni insisted he hasn’t taken a decision and will only take a call after evaluating all options at his disposal.
“I still don’t have the team, especially because I have to evaluate the six changes we have to make.
The defending champions already named a 29 member provisional list for the upcoming Copa America and all participating countries will have to submit their squad by June 21. The Inter Miami forward last appeared for Argentina as a substitute on October 12, 2023, at the Estadio Monumental in Argentina. He came off the bench in the team’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay.
Messi will lead the team in Argentina and Scaloni will have to trim his squad to 26 once Argentina are done with the two friendlies they are scheduled to play for. Following the Ecuador match, the Albiceleste will take on Guatemala in their next game.
Messi recently opened up on the prospect of appearing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2022 World Cup winner stated that if he is fit and feels good, he will certainly give it a shot.
Source link : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/will-lionel-messi-feature-against-ecuador-argentina-manager-lionel-scaloni-provides-positive-update-article-110834655
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Publish date : 2024-06-09 04:07:01
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