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Lionel Messi has resumed partial training with Argentina and could feature in one of the team’s final World Cup warm-up matches, coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed.
Lionel Messi at Argentina’s training camp
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Argentina’s WC-winning coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed that talisman Lionel Messi is making encouraging progress in his recovery from injury and could feature in the world champions’ final warm-up matches before the FIFA World Cup.
Messi, who suffered a left hamstring strain while playing for Inter Miami, has returned to partial training with the Argentina squad and is edging closer to full fitness ahead of the tournament.
“Leo is doing well, he has already trained partly with the group, he’s no longer completely separated,” Scaloni told reporters on Friday.
“It’s possible he’ll play a few minutes in the friendlies. We’ll see whether that’s tomorrow’s game or the other one.”
Argentina face Honduras in College Station, Texas, on Saturday before taking on Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday as part of their final preparations for the World Cup.
The positive update comes as a major relief for Argentina, who begin their title defence against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.
“He’s much better and that gives us peace of mind,” Scaloni added.
Argentina’s Injury Concerns
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been ruled out of both friendlies after suffering a fracture in the ring finger of his right hand during the warm-up for the Europa League final.
Scaloni confirmed that Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso will start against Honduras, while young River Plate shot-stopper Santiago Beltran is also set to receive playing time during the international window.
Full-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are also recovering from muscle tears, prompting the call-ups of Agustin Giay and Nicolas Capaldo for the friendlies.
Central defender Cristian Romero has returned to group training after recovering from a knee sprain suffered in April, although he is yet to regain match fitness. Midfielder Nicolas Paz remains doubtful after sustaining a knee injury and will miss the Honduras fixture.
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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