Lionel Messi teamed up with the World Cup winners after returning from injury as a second-half substitute for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
Lionel Messi is doubtful for Argentina’s South American World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Thursday despite” looking good” in training, according to trainer Lionel Scaloni. Messi teamed up with the World Cup winners after returning from injury as a alternate- half cover for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer on Saturday. Messi had played just 37 twinkles for his club since September 3, having returned with an injury from transnational duty last month. Argentina have won both their qualifiers so far and are position on six points at the top of the table with Brazil.
“We still have one further training session and one further is important for him. I’ve to talk it over with him and make sure we’re convinced he can start. He looked good. Grounded on that, we will see the rest of the platoon,” said Lionel Scaloni.
The Argentina trainer said he also had to take into account that his platoon would face Peru in Lima five days latterly.
“What leaves us calm is that, if he’s not fit to play, whoever goes out will do just as well, that is the most important thing,” he said.
One option for Scaloni, should Messi not be fit to play, would be to start with Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez as a brace.
“They have formerly played together as starters. I am open to numerous effects. It’ll depend on the match. It wouldn’t be a problem. They are different, but they can play,” he added.
Paraguay have one point from their opening games and sit in sixth place, the final spot for automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil host Venezuela in Cuiaba on Thursday– the’ Vinotinto’ have three points after a 1- 0 palm over Paraguay and a narrow 1- 0 loss to Colombia.
Midfielder Casemiro says the’ Selecao’ will not underrate an opponent looking for their first appearance in the tests.
“It’s going to be a delicate game. Venezuela have their graces, numerous players playing in Europe, quality players. The important thing then’s respect,” the Manchester United and former Real Madrid midfielder told a news conference.
“Football is one of the many sports in which the fave doesn’t always win. and in South America there is no easy game,” he added.
Brazil will be playing their third game under interim trainer Fernando Diniz and Casemiro said the platoon are still conforming to a new approach.
“We’re trying to acclimatize as snappily as possible, but it takes time. At club position it generally takes months. In the public platoon we’re trying to do it with vids and so on to correspond to that work gospel as snappily as possible and minimise miscalculations,” he said.
After the clash with Venezuela, Brazil visit Marcelo Bielsa‘s Uruguay on Tuesday in Montevideo. Venezuela will host Chile.
Thursday’s other games see Colombia host Uruguay, Bolivia take on Ecuador and Peru visit Chile. Know More Latest Football News…
