Lionel Messi is making encouraging progress in his recovery from injury and may feature briefly in Argentina’s upcoming friendly matches ahead of their World Cup opener, according to head coach Lionel Scaloni.
Speaking on Friday, Scaloni confirmed that the Inter Miami forward has resumed partial training with the squad.
“Leo is doing well, he has already trained partly with the group, he’s no longer completely separated,” Scaloni said. “It’s possible he’ll play a few minutes in the friendlies. We’ll see whether that’s tomorrow’s game or the other one.”
Defending champions Argentina will face Honduras in College Station, Texas, on Saturday before taking on Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday.
“He’s much better and that gives us peace of mind,” Scaloni said.
The Argentine medical team continues to manage several fitness concerns within the squad, with Messi among the key players being closely monitored after sustaining a left hamstring strain in his last Inter Miami appearance. He had initially not been expected to feature against Honduras.
Scaloni also provided updates on the goalkeeping situation, confirming that Juan Musso of Atletico Madrid will start against Honduras at Kyle Field.
First-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been ruled out of both friendlies after suffering a fracture to the ring finger of his right hand during warm-up for the Europa League final.
However, he is expected to be fit for Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria.
The coach also revealed that young River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltran will make his debut appearance during the friendlies.
In defence, Argentina are dealing with setbacks involving right-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, both of whom are recovering from muscle injuries.
As a result, Agustin Giay and Nicolas Capaldo have been called up as replacements for the matches.
Centre-back Cristian Romero has returned to training with the squad following a knee sprain in April, although he is still regaining match fitness and his involvement will be carefully assessed.
Scaloni will decide whether to give him playing time or continue his recovery without match action.
Another concern is Nicolas Paz, who is training separately after sustaining a heavy knock to his knee.
He has been ruled out of the Honduras match and remains doubtful for Argentina’s World Cup opener.
Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez also joined the camp in Kansas with minor fitness issues. While both players are improving, their participation in the friendlies remains uncertain.
“The situation is improving,” Scaloni said. “They’re fine, and we don’t want to risk them in these games, and the idea is surely that (the injured players) won’t take part in these friendlies.
“In this one (against Honduras), definitely not,” he added. “In the second, there might be a chance that one of them could play.”
Scaloni added that the coming days will be crucial in assessing the squad’s overall condition.
“For now everything is going quite well, and next week we’ll see,” he said.
Argentina will begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 in Kansas City against Algeria.