Messi's Readiness Before the World Cup Kick-off

The Argentina national team is preparing to enter the final stage of its preparations before the start of the World Cup, as it plays its last friendly match against Iceland in the United States, as part of its efforts to retain the title it holds as the current champion.

Coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed in the press conference that the national team captain, Lionel Messi, will be present in the match, but his participation will be limited to only a few minutes to avoid any physical risks before the start of the tournament. He explained that the coaching staff is carefully assessing his condition to determine the appropriate amount of playing time.

The Argentina camp witnessed some positive developments with the return of several players to readiness, such as Nico Paz, Montiel, and Molina. The coaching staff is aiming to test as many players as possible before finalizing the squad, especially in the right-back position, which has an abundance of options.

On the other hand, the physical condition of some players remains a concern. Julian Alvarez is not yet fully fit, Leandro Paredes has not been fully integrated into group training, and defender Lisandro Balerdi suffered an injury that ended his international season and ruled him out of participating in the World Cup.

Scaloni pointed out that the pressure of matches at the end of the season made it difficult for all players to reach full readiness. He emphasized that the coaching staff relies on medical and physical data to accurately assess the condition, aiming to achieve the best possible readiness before the opening match and to avoid any additional injuries.