Argentina Coach Scaloni to Assess Star’s Fitness Before Deciding
BUENOS AIRES:
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni revealed on Wednesday that he has not yet made a decision on whether Lionel Messi will start in the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Chile. The 37-year-old captain’s fitness remains under close observation ahead of Thursday’s match.
With Argentina having already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the reigning champions—currently at the top of the South American standings—will face last-placed Chile with a squad missing several regular starters and uncertainty surrounding Messi’s participation.
“We’ve been in touch with Messi. We haven’t decided yet if he’ll start. We want to understand how he’s feeling physically,” Scaloni told reporters.
“Right now, we’re in a position where we can experiment a bit. He’s available, but we’ll make the call later.”
Due to injuries and suspensions, several key players will be absent, providing Scaloni the opportunity to test emerging talent ahead of next summer’s title defense in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
“We’re missing a number of players, but this opens the door for others. If the players we’ve called up are in good condition, they’ll get a chance,” he explained.
“I haven’t finalized the starting lineup yet, but we’ll be giving minutes to those who haven’t featured much and whom we believe are ready to contribute.”
While results still matter, Scaloni emphasized that this match is more about integrating new players and building squad depth.
“The result is always important, but today it’s not the top priority. Our focus is on helping players gain experience and confidence in the team environment,” he said.
Despite the lower stakes, Scaloni affirmed that Argentina’s mindset remains focused on performing well.
“We want to compete. It’s good to observe other players, especially those performing well. No match is meaningless,” Scaloni said. “National teams don’t play that often, so every opportunity matters. This will be a good test, even if it comes with its own challenges. We’re in a strong position.”
Scaloni also commented on the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as Brazil’s new head coach, expressing admiration for the veteran Italian manager.
“It’s a great move. He’s one of the best coaches of recent times and will elevate Brazil’s game,” Scaloni said.
“I really like his approach—everything about him, really. He’ll add value to the game, and I welcome him. I wish him the best.”
