Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference on Wednesday and commented on if Lionel Messi will be starting for Argentina while also discussing about Messi’s time off with Inter Miami.
Scaloni held a press conference before Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay on Thursday and one of the topics discussed was Lionel Messi. The Best player in the world is just returning from injury with Inter Miami and Scaloni was asked about Messi and if he will start against Paraguay. Here is what he had to say:
“We still have one more training session and one more is important for him. We see him well and we will talk to him before to decide if he will start the match or not. Based on that, the team can change but I have to talk it over with him and above all, that he is well, that we are convinced that he can play as a starter.
“He looked good. We will base the rest of the team on that.
“The decision first is to see how he feels. Second, we have another game in four days. He can play 80 minutes and against Peru, nothing. Or he can play 90 minutes in both matches and be fine. It is not that easy.
“If he is available, you know what I think about it. On the subject of minutes, it is important. What reassures us is that if he is not fit to start, whoever starts will do just as well, that’s the most important thing.
“Almost none of them had a strong pre-season, Leo in this case went and competed but the rest did friendlies in the United States. Sometimes you are fine and nothing happens but sometimes the calendar takes its toll. The players are feeling the calendar.”
He was also asked about Messi and Inter Miami not making the MLS playoffs and how that could play a role with the Argentina national team:
“As far as the national team is concerned, he will be moving around until the next FIFA date. It won’t affect us too much, he will be training and playing matches, it’s not a problem.
“I didn’t talk about what will happen after that, he will have his well-deserves vacation and will return to training with his team later on but it won’t affect the national team’s plans too much.”
