Lionel Messi's participation in the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Paraguay remains uncertain, as confirmed by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni on Wednesday. Despite being sidelined with a muscle problem that has kept him out of action for his U.S. side Inter Miami, Messi was included in the world champions' squad. Scaloni mentioned that Messi had been training well ahead of the match on Thursday but emphasized the need to have a conversation with him regarding his fitness before making a final decision.
Scaloni acknowledged the significance of Messi's involvement in the crucial qualifier but expressed the need to ensure his comfort and readiness before risking his participation. He mentioned that having just one more training session would be important to assess Messi's condition before making a final call. With another game against Peru just four days later, Scaloni also emphasized the need for caution, as it may not be easy to definitively determine Messi's availability. However, the coach expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well even if Messi is unable to play, stating that whoever replaces him will be capable of delivering a strong performance.
The Argentine squad will be missing the services of Angel Di Maria and Angel Correa due to injuries. Despite these absences, Scaloni expressed confidence in the capability of the players who have been called up as replacements. He believes that these players have the potential to not just fill the void but possibly secure a place in the team for themselves with their performances.
Argentina will be hosting Paraguay at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires for the qualifier on Thursday. Following this match, they will travel to Lima to face Peru on October 17. These matches hold significant importance for Argentina, as they aim to secure qualification for the upcoming World Cup. The absence of key players due to injuries makes these matches even more challenging, but with the presence of Messi or other capable replacements, the team will be looking to secure crucial points in their campaign.
The uncertainty surrounding Messi's availability creates anticipation and curiosity among the fans, who eagerly await the decision regarding his inclusion in the starting lineup. In any case, the Argentine team will strive to deliver a strong performance as they continue their quest for World Cup qualification under Scaloni's guidance.