Despite “looking good” in training, Lionel Messi remains questionable for Argentina’s South American World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay on Thursday, according to coach Lionel Scaloni.
Messi doubtful for World Cup qualifier: On Saturday in Major League Soccer, Messi joined the World Cup champions after making his injury comeback as a substitute for Inter Miami.
Messi returned from international duty last month with an injury and had only played 37 minutes for his club since then.
“We only have one training session left, and this one is crucial for him… I need to discuss it with him and make sure we both agree that he can start. He presented well. We’ll see the rest of the team after that, Scaloni remarked.
The Argentina coach claimed that in addition, he had to consider the fact that his squad will play Peru five days later in Lima.
The most crucial factor, he stated, is that if he is not well enough to play, whoever replaces him will perform just as well.
Argentina is tied for first place with Brazil on six points after winning both of its qualifying matches thus far.
Should Messi not be able to play, Scaloni may start with Julian Alvarez of Manchester City and Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan as a duo.
“They have already started games together. I’m flexible in many ways. The contest will determine it. There would be no issue. Although they are different, they can play, he continued.
With one point after two games, Paraguay is in sixth place, one spot shy of securing automatic qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
On Thursday, Brazil welcomes Venezuela to Cuiaba. The ‘Vinotinto’ have three points after victories over Paraguay and Colombia, both by the score of 1-0.
The “Selecao,” according to midfielder Casemiro, won’t undervalue a rival seeking their first championship.
It will be a challenging game. Venezuela has various advantages, including a large number of talented players who play in Europe. Respect is key in this situation, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder said at a press conference.
“One of the few sports in which the favourite does not usually win is football… And there are no easy games in South America, he continued.
Brazil will play their third match with interim coach Fernando Diniz. Casemiro claimed the team is still getting used to the new strategy.
“We are working as hard as we can to adjust, but it takes time. The typical wait time at the club level is months. We aim to follow that work philosophy as rapidly as possible and minimise errors in the national team, he said, using videos and other tools.
Brazil visits Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay on Tuesday in Montevideo following the match with Venezuela. Chile will visit Venezuela.
However, Other games on Thursday are Bolivia vs. Ecuador, Peru vs. Chile, and Colombia hosting Uruguay.