Lionel Messi has been sidelined due to an injury for quite some time in the last few weeks. However, he came on for a little more than 30 minutes in the last match Inter Miami played against FC Cincinnati. He has been included in La Albiceleste’s squad for the next two matches this month. This month’s first World Cup qualifiers match for Argentina is set for 13th October against Paraguay. It’s still unclear whether Messi will be able to start the match. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni certainly wants him to play full-time.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni included Lionel Messi in the squad for their 2 matches this month. Messi has been suffering from a leg issue that had him sidelined for a few weeks. Hence, it’s still unclear whether Messi will be able to play the full course of the match or not. When asked about him, Scaloni said, “We still have training, it is important for Leo. We saw him [looking] well, we will talk before practice to see if he plays from the beginning or not.”
Messi joined Inter Miami back in July. He continued to play in every match in 3-4 day gaps. At the age of 36 years old, fatigue was sure to arrive. However, the Argentina captain suffered an injury before that. He travelled to fulfill his international duties last month. He played against Ecuador in their first World Cup qualifiers match. However, he sustained an injury and failed to appear for their second match against Bolivia. He then returned to the United States, but still remained sidelined.
Since Inter Miami’s match against Sporting KC on 10th September, Messi has appeared in only in 2 matches for Miami till now. However, in both matches, he played for a little more than 30 minutes. His recent appearance came in Miami’s latest match against FC Cincinnati. Hence, Messi has recovered enough to play. However, it’s unclear whether he’s fit enough to play a full match. Lionel Scaloni could take the risk. However, he has said that he will take a late call on the matter.
Even though Lionel Messi agrees to play the full match, it will be a risk for Scaloni. It could be especially problematic for them considering Argentina have another match against Peru in 5 days. They also come back next month to play 2 of their toughest competitive fixtures since the World Cup. They will take on Uruguay on 17th November and then Brazil on 22nd November. These will be the last matches for Argentina in this calendar year. Scaloni will want to end the year with a 100% win record intact.
Since they won the World Cup last year, Argentina have played 4 friendly matches and 2 competitive matches in the World Cup qualifiers. They have won all of them easily with 6 straight clean sheets. They’ve not only achieved such an amazing clean sheet record, but they’ve also recorded a whopping 17 goals in the meantime. Scaloni will try everything to hold onto such an amazing record. For that, Messi will need to be fit. Hence, he could choose to give Messi a little more rest.
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