Soccer legend Lionel Messi will take the field from the opening whistle when Argentina faces Zambia in a friendly match on Tuesday, according to national team coach Lionel Scaloni.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Scaloni confirmed the star player’s role in the upcoming game. “Yes, I think he’ll start from the beginning tomorrow,” Scaloni stated during his press conference.
This marks a change from Argentina’s previous friendly encounter, where Messi entered the match at halftime during their 2-1 win over Mauritania on Friday.
According to Scaloni, both the Mauritania and Zambia friendlies serve a crucial purpose in finalizing Argentina’s World Cup squad. The coach explained that these games will help determine the final 26-man roster for this summer’s tournament.
“The list of 26 players (for the World Cup), I think we’re above the percentage,” Scaloni explained. “We have to start discarding options now based on performance. There is no other option.”
The defending World Cup champions faced unexpected challenges against Mauritania, a team ranked 115th globally by FIFA and without any World Cup appearances in their history.
Reflecting on that performance, Scaloni noted: “The game the other night could’ve been an alert. It’s things that as a head coach one starts looking at and later, we will decide.”
While Messi’s World Cup participation remains undecided, Scaloni expressed optimism about the global icon’s potential involvement in the tournament.
“The important thing is that he comes and enjoys it,” the coach shared. “That he enjoy being at the World Cup, which in theory would be the last, but I wouldn’t dare to say anything, but that he enjoys it.”
Scaloni emphasized the worldwide appeal of seeing Messi compete: “I think it’s not just Argentines who want to see him, everyone wants to see him. They want to see him train, see him play, and that is what we all wish for.”
As Argentina pursues their fourth World Cup title, they will begin group stage play on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City as part of Group J. Their tournament schedule continues with Austria on June 22, followed by Jordan on June 27.
