Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about the team and the 2022 World Cup.

Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference on Monday about the team. Lionel Messi had also spoken at the press conference, commenting on the team and his fitness.

Scaloni spoke about the starting eleven. He said that it would be one of Alejandro Papu Gómez or Alexis Mac Allister who will start in place of Gio Lo Celso in midfield. Here is what he had to say:

“The team is already confirmed. I told the players today. I’m not going to change it and we are not changing the system. You will see tomorrow. There won’t be big changes.”

“A player like Joaquín who left, can play on the inside and outside, as a striker or playmaker and Ángel gives us that. In the case of Nicolas Gonzalez, most of the time he has played on the left and Thiago can give us that with different characteristics.

“That was the idea we had. There were other options but there was no time to wait. We are convinced.”

Regarding Enzo Fernandez in the team:

“Enzo Fernández is very good. Luckily the 26 players could change and have everyone available in case a change needs to be made. Enzo is a player who, beyond what is seen in Benfica, last year we already saw his potential in the national team.”

About the World Cup:

“The big favorites never win the World Cups. I think that a lot of big nations, great teams, at least eight of them can win this World Cup. The majority are Europeans. It’s what happened in the last years. I think that South American teams couldn’t reach the finals, even in 2014 we did and Argentina maybe could have done a bit better. The rest are just details. And I think this World Cup will be the same. Details will make champions and not necessarily the team that plays the best.

“Yesterday, Ecuador won very well. It’s a national team of a very high level. Everytime I played, I said the same thing. The rest will have a hard time and I am not surprised that they won. That is not to say that Qatar is a bad team. England is a candidate but I don’t say that the Arab teams are a step below. You have to prove to be superior, the game has an emotional aspect, the important thing is to move forward beyond how. Logically, we have our way of playing and we will try not to change it.”

Lionel Messi spoke at a press conference on Monday about the World Cup and his fitness.

Messi was at the press conference with Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni on Monday before the game vs. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Messi spoke about his fitness. Here is what he had to say:

“I am feeling very well, I am very well. Playing condition, I think that I come here in great form both personally and physically. I have no issues whatsoever. I heard there were rumors about having to miss part of the training or training a part of the training, no, it’s just precautions. Nothing strange or out of the ordinary.

“We’re in the middle of the season and I feel well. Once we start playing a few more games, we will get pace and I have been playing recently. That’s what I’ve been trying to do recently up until the World Cup. I haven’t done anything different, I just took care of myself. I have worked as I have done throughout my entire career. This is a special moment, most likely my last World Cup. My last opportunity to make my dream, our dream a reality.”

He was also asked about the team and the World Cup:

“We are ready, we feel well and it’s always such a special moment to play a World Cup. The atmosphere, a new beginning ahead of a new match. It’s always very special.

For most of them, it will be their first World Cup. We have to deal with anxiety.

“Yes, it’s great that so many fans are supporting us and that so many people want us to win. I am very grateful for the love I have felt throughout my career. Everywhere I have been, I have felt it so strongly.”

We just won a tournament and obviously it helps you work in a different way. You don’t feel as anxious. It doesn’t put as much pressure on you, we just focus on enjoying our time with the national team. This squad really reminds me of that of 2014, it was a very similar strong. We were very united, we were very clear about what we had to do on a pitch and it’s great to come here with such great form and it gives you confidence.”

About how he is doing:

“I don’t know if it’s the best moment of my career but I Feel really well. Maybe a bit more mature, always trying to give the best and enjoy everything. Again, trying to enjoy each moment. I think I am really enjoying it much more now.

“Before, maybe I didn’t think about that, I just wanted to play but now I am trying to enjoy it. When you play every 3 days, you don’t have time to enjoy. Now we have to enjoy a bit more. Before it was just playing and thinking about the next game. One just wants to keep playing and winning.

“I missed a lot of things in my career and now I Think I am just trying to enjoy it a bit more.”

As I said, I think the age makes you see things differently. Maybe a bit more importance to small details. Before I didn’t do it. Now maybe I try to focus more on all the details.

Guido Rodríguez missed Argentina’s training on Monday due to a cold.

Rodríguez was not part of the team that trained on Monday as he picked up a cold similar to the one which Lisandro Martínez had.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni held the last training session before the game vs. Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Lionel Messi was present and trained with the team with Guido being the player who was not available.

Lionel Messi will join Lionel Scaloni as the Argentina will hold a press conference on Monday.

Messi will be with Scaloni as they will hold a press conference before their game against Saudi Arabia. This will be held after the team’s last training session before the game.

Lionel Messi trained with the Argentina national team and Cristian Cuti Romero is set to start in their opening game.

Messi trained with his Argentina team after having trained separately on Saturday. He had trained separately from the group due to muscle overloads but he did train on Sunday.

Cristian Cuti Romero is also in perfect condition. According to TyC Sports, he is set to start for Argentina on November 22 vs. Saudi Arabia.

Marcos Acuña is also set to start. The coaching staff will wait to see about his groin pain but he trained well.

Alejandro Papu Gómez also trained very well. No signs of any discomfort in his knee and they are evaluating to see if he could be in the starting eleven.

The Argentina national team will hold a training session on Monday.