Argentina boss says Messi still undecided over World Cup involvement
The World Cup countdown is gathering pace, but it appears Lionel Messi is in no rush to confirm his involvement in the tournament in North America.
"I want him to be there. It's up to him to decide. He's earned the right to make that decision with peace of mind," Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said, according to ESPN's Adriana Garcia.
"We're in no rush about it. We know whatever he decides will be best for the team and for him. We hope he will be there."
Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and picked up the Golden Ball award as the tournament's top player, eight years after he won the same prize after La Albiceleste lost to Germany in the final. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is his country's all-time top scorer with 115 goals and has won the Copa America twice.
The 38-year-old Inter Miami playmaker is expected to play in his country's friendlies against Mauritania (Friday) and Zambia (Tuesday) at Boca Juniors' La Bombonera stadium as Argentina steps up its preparations for this summer's World Cup. However, Argentina was denied another piece of its attacking weaponry for those matches after Strasbourg's Joaquin Panichelli, the top scorer in France's Ligue 1 with 16 goals, suffered a suspected torn ACL.
"As far as I'm concerned, you already know where I stand," Scaloni said of Messi's potential participation at the World Cup. "I'll do everything I can to make sure he's there. I believe that, for the sake of football, he has to be there. It's not me who decides. It's up to him, his state of mind, his physical condition."
He added, "It's difficult because it is not just the Argentinians who want to see him, everyone wants to see him."
Scaloni also indicated there's still time for players to break into his squad for Argentina's World Cup title defense. Uncapped duo Tomas Palacios of Estudiantes and Racing Club left-back Gabriel Rojas were included in the 30-man squad for this international window.
"We're eternally grateful to those who've helped us win, but we've got another World Cup to face, and we need players who are fit and capable, and that's what we'll be looking for when we decide on the squad," Scaloni said.