Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni held a press conference on Thursday where he spoke about Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, the team and the World Cup qualifiers.

Lionel Scaloni commented on Lionel Messi’s injury and if he will play against Uruguay. Speaking at a press conference, here is what he had to say:

“Messi trained differently the first few days. Yesterday, it was more intense and in principle, he is available. This afternoon we will make a final decision.

“Having Leo (Messi) is easy, he always wants to play and I always want him to play. His attitude is a source of pride. Paulo Dybala could be a substitute, also Joaquin (Correa) or Lo Celso in the position more advanced and other players in midfield.

“We have different options. In principle, we think that Leo (Messi) is fine. We have plenty of players, that keeps us calm.”

Scaloni also spoke about Leandro Paredes and his injury:

“Paredes is ruled out and the rest of the team will be practically the same as the last match but I can’t confirm it. We have alternatives that could do just as well as him.”

Scaloni also commented on the young players in the team:

“It’s great that the young players came to train with the best. They are the future of the national team. We believe that they have the level and that they can show it.

“We want the youth players to mix with the older players. That they know what a call-up is, to eat together, to be together. There are players who have already shown that they can be an alternative.”

In addition, Scaloni spoke about Julian Alvarez:

“With the form that Julian Alvarez is in, it doesn’t matter where he plays, at River or in Europe. He has made a very good leap and we are very happy with his form.”

About Sergio Aguero:

“We talk to Kun (Aguero). We are sad because we don’t want this to happen to anyone. Hopefully he recovers quickly, we send him our support from here. We appreciate him and we want to have him with us.”

Regarding the team:

“Our team are the protagonists on the ball and when we don’t have it, we suffer. We will see what game Uruguay tries to impose, they are missing a lot of players.

“We are happy with this cycle and we want to continue on the same road.”

Nicolas Gonzalez is out of the Argentina squad for the November World Cup qualifiers.

Gonzalez tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of last month and has not yet tested negative. Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni called Gonzalez to the team for the matches against Uruguay and Brazil in November.

The Argentina national team Twitter account tweeted that Gonzalez is out of the matches.

Lionel Messi is rumored to start for Argentina with Alejandro Papu Gomez also having a chance in the World Cup qualifiers.

Messi will play for Argentina but it remains to be seen if he will play from the start against Uruguay or if coach Lionel Scaloni would bring him on as a substitute. Per a report by TyC Sports, if Messi does not start against Uruguay, it would be Paulo Dybala or Alejandro Papu Gomez starting in his place.

According to the report by TyC Sports, Joaquin Correa, Angel Correa and Julian Alvarez also have chances of starting the match.

In addition, Guido Rodriguez is expected to start in place of Leandro Paredes. Here is the rumored eleven:

Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna; Rodrigo De Paul, Guido Rodriguez, Gio Lo Celso; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria

Lionel Messi is expected to play for Argentina against Uruguay in the World Cup qualifier.

Messi has been the talking point of the Argentina national team since Monday, where he and Leandro Paredes trained separately from the team. On Tuesday, Messi trained with the team as a report came out by Ole stating that he will start for Argentina against Uruguay on Friday.

While the report by Ole states that Messi will start, a different report by TyC mentions that he will play against Uruguay but he might not start. They mention that if Messi does not start, it would be between Paulo Dybala or Alejandro Papu Gomez.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni is going to hold another training on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi trained with the Argentina national team today as he is rumored to be in the starting eleven.

Messi, who trained separately from the team on Monday, trained with them on Tuesday and is rumored to be starting. While he might not play the entire 90 minutes, he could be starting the World Cup qualifying match o Friday.

Argentina national team coach held a training on Tuesday and Leandro Paredes is a doubt with Guido Rodriguez likely to start in his place. Here is the rumored eleven:

Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Marcos Acuña; Rodrigo de Paul, Guido Rodríguez or Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso; Angel Di María, Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez.