Messi plays Iceland in final World Cup test
Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi, will take to the field against Iceland in their final match before the World Cup, a crucial test confirmed by coach Lionel Scaloni. This marks Messi's return after recovering from a muscle ailment, a significant moment for the reigning world champions as they prepare for the global tournament. The team has been training in Kansas City, Kansas, with this match serving as their last opportunity to fine-tune strategies and player fitness.
Messi, who is nearing his thirty-ninth birthday, had been sidelined with muscular fatigue and a slight strain in his left hamstring, an injury sustained during his last appearance for Inter Miami on May twenty-fourth. While he has resumed normal training sessions, he did not participate in Argentina's recent two-nil victory over Honduras last Saturday. Coach Scaloni has yet to reveal whether Messi will start the match against Iceland or come off the bench, emphasizing player welfare and risk management.
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The match against Iceland is considered a vital stepping stone before Argentina's World Cup debut on June sixteenth against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, in Group J. Scaloni expressed his concern about player readiness, stating that he wants all players to finish the match without any further injuries. He acknowledged that while the friendly provides valuable preparation, the ideal scenario would be to have maximum tranquility heading into their opening World Cup fixture.
Beyond Messi, Scaloni provided updates on other players who arrived at the team's training camp in Kansas City with injuries. Right-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel have recovered from their respective muscular issues and are fit to play. Additionally, forward Nicolas Paz is also cleared to return after dealing with a knee knock. These returns bolster the squad's depth and options heading into the tournament.
However, several key players are still undergoing rehabilitation. Starting goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is recovering from a fractured ring finger on his right hand, forward Julian lvarez is dealing with an ankle sprain and midfielder Leandro Paredes is nursing a muscle tear. Scaloni indicated that Martinez's cast will be removed next Friday, after which he will be evaluated to determine his availability for the Algeria match. He expressed confidence that lvarez and Paredes will be able to train normally with the group by the end of this week.
The coach also announced that a decision on a replacement for defender Leonardo Balerdi, who was ruled out of the World Cup squad on Saturday due to a muscle tear, will be made after the Iceland friendly. Scaloni did not rule out the possibility of calling up a player who might not be a direct replacement in the same position. He concluded by admitting that reaching peak condition is a significant challenge for all teams participating in the World Cup, highlighting the inherent difficulties in player preparation.
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