“I will do everything possible for Messi to play in the World Cup”

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Less than 80 days earlier than the World Cup begins, Argentina doesn’t know if it will have the opportunity to depend on its captain Lionel Messi.

But coach Lionel Scaloni doesn’t despair.

“We are not in any trouble with that,” the strategist of the final world champion stated at a press convention on Thursday. “We know that whatever he decides will be the best, both for the team and for him. Let’s hope so.”

Messi, 38, has not but confirmed whether or not he will compete in his sixth World Cup.

“On my part, I will do everything possible to ensure that he is there… For the good of football he has to be there, but I am not the one who decides. It will be him, his state of mind and physical condition,” stated Scaloni. “He is the one who decides. He earned the right to be able to decide with peace of mind.”

For now, Scaloni confirmed that the Inter Miami captain will additionally play in the pleasant in opposition to Mauritania on Friday and in opposition to Zambia on Tuesday. Both matches will happen at the La Bombonera stadium. These are the final assessments earlier than the coach confirms the checklist of 26 gamers who will compete in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada beginning on June 11.

“Leo is going to play both, I don’t know how many minutes, but he is going to be in both,” Scaloni stated. “It is a nice opportunity to see him on the field and for (the fans) to enjoy what we enjoy every time he is here.”

During the press convention the coach additionally referred to different matters.

“I think it’s no one’s fault, football in this is a secondary issue,” stated the Argentine coach when referring to the disruption brought on by the cancellation of the duel in opposition to the European champion Spain on March 27 in Qatar due to the battle in the Middle East.

Scaloni additionally averted getting into into controversies about the lack of settlement between the federations of each nations to transfer the Finalíssima to one other venue.

“In the end we have to take the positives. We have two friendlies and we have to respect our rivals and take advantage to see the boys,” he added.

The coach didn’t keep away from criticism for the friendlies that Argentina has performed in opposition to decrease high quality rivals since turning into world champion.

“Playing with the best guarantees you nothing and this guarantees you nothing,” he mirrored. “What you have to do is face whatever comes. This comes and use the positive. The result will later say if you were right or not. It’s not pure mathematics.”

Scaloni introduced that Argentina will face Serbia in the days earlier than the begin of the World Cup and that one other pleasant is about to be outlined.

Scaloni revealed that he had not initially talked about Franco Mastantuono, an 18-year-old youth participant with little expertise at Real Madrid, as a result of he solely had a pleasant confirmed. After the Zambian possibility arose, he was requested to be a part of the squad.

“I appreciate his desire to be there. We are happy with him. He is an 18-year-old boy… we have to give him time and he is in a very demanding club, the most demanding in the world. And that makes everything magnified,” stated Scaloni.

Regarding the possibilities of him having the ability to play in the World Cup, the strategist was much less categorical.

“All the restraint will come from us and above all, let him know that he has to go little by little and that his career has just begun and that he has to go upwards,” he indicated.

Scaloni stated that the warmth throughout the summer season in the northern hemisphere “is not going to be good for the show” at the World Cup.

“The heat is impressive. What worries me most are the schedules,” stated the coach, who criticized FIFA. “Maybe they are not the right ones for players. Diego (Maradona) already complained about the same thing in Mexico (1986) and we continue the same. Nothing happened.”

He additionally referred to the venue chosen for his staff’s keep in Kansas City. “They say it’s very nice. I didn’t go. They showed it to me through photos. We’re not looking for luxuries, but to be comfortable. That it has the minimum comforts.”

Argentina, which was additionally world champion in 1978 and 1986, will debut in opposition to Algeria on June 16 in Group J. They will then face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.

AP Sports: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes