Sampaoli: 'The only starter in the national team, today, is Messi'

Jorge Sampaoli is embarking on a massive challenge as Argentina's manager, and there's only one footballer who is guaranteed of minutes under the pit bull-esque manager.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Sampaoli said Lionel Messi is the only player who's assured of a spot in Argentina's starting lineup, declaring: "The only starter in the national team, today, is Messi. The other players will be analysed and evaluated according to the need in each match. When you have the best in the world, from there the team is born.

"Regarding Leo, we have very fluid dialogue, we send messages constantly and we had the possibility of telling him our idea of play. Our task is to bring it together with players who will empower it."

In a June friendly that marked Sampaoli's first game in charge of Argentina, La Albiceleste beat Australia 1-0 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Playing in a 3-3-1-3 formation, Messi took the pitch behind Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala, and Gonzalo Higuain.

The FIFA Appeal Committee lifted the sanctions imposed on Messi in May. The Argentinian phenom was suspended for four matches after being found guilty of insulting an assistant referee during Argentina's unconvincing victory over Chile in 2018 World Cup qualifying. The decision to lift the ban means he'll be able to represent La Albiceleste in August, when the national team takes on Uruguay in another installment of the Clasico del Rio de la Plata.

Argentina is fifth in CONMEBOL's 2018 World Cup qualification. Four national teams from South America will qualify automatically for the tournament, while whoever finishes fifth will have to play an inter-confederation play-off involving an opponent from Oceania.

The last four matchdays in CONMEBOL's 2018 World Cup qualification will see Argentina battle Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador.