Lionel Messi will make his long-awaited return from injury when Argentina complete their World Cup preparation with a game against Iceland tonight.
Messi was withdrawn by Inter Miami boss Guillermo Hoyos during their MLS game with Philadelphia Union on May 24 with what was described as “muscle fatigue” and has been gradually working his way back ever since.
He missed the weekend win over Honduras but will play some part against Iceland in Alabama.
Coach Lionel Scaloni said: “Messi is going to play, he’s going to have minutes but we still don’t know how many. I haven’t talked to him yet. We will try to have as little risk as possible.”
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi dragged Argentina to the world title in Qatar four years ago and Scaloni is expecting another major impact from him in the United States, Canada and Mexico despite the former Barcelona star turning 39 later this month.
“He is very important,” he said. “The role that we all expect when he is on the pitch, everything he transmits to his team-mates, to those around him, is incredible. Everyone is waiting for him to play and I’m not going to make him not play. Let’s hope he’s okay, it’s what we all want.”
Scaloni has several other injury worries heading into the tournament and conceded warm-up games were a necessary, if unwanted, part of their build-up.
He added: “It is an important stepping stone and you have to play them, whether you like it or not with the guys who will be in the World Cup. I don’t mean it badly, but if we didn’t have these games, we would have more peace of mind to prepare for the match with Algeria.
“I’m worried about playing and that everyone finishes it well.”
Scaloni has one more major decision to make prior to the opener against the Algerians in Kansas City next Tuesday night.
Leonardo Balerdi’s withdrawal due to injury means Argentina can call up a replacement and the decision is between another defender in Marcos Senesi or the more offensive Aston Villa midfielder Emi Buendia.
Scaloni said: “In Balerdi’s position we could be covered and we may pick someone in another position to replace him. The replacement may be here on Wednesday. We have an idea and I don’t think we will change it.”
Iceland failed to qualify for the finals and have not won any of their last five games.
Team news for Argentina v Iceland
In addition to Messi, who will likely start on the bench, Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina and Nico Paz are all fit and could play a part. But Julián Alvarez, Leandro Paredes and Emiliano Martínez will not feature.
Scaloni said: “Julián is fine and we hope he is 100% [for Algeria]. Paredes will be ready to join in in a few days. Meanwhile, Emi’s splint is removed on Friday [following a fractured finger], so we’ll see if the bone has calcified.”
Predicted line-ups for Argentina v Iceland
Argentina: Musso; Giay, Romero, Martinez, Tagliafico; Simeone, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Gonzalez; Martinez, Almada
Iceland: Valdimarsson; Thorhallsson, Gretarsson, Hermannsson, Magnusson, Tomasson; Ellertsson, G Thordarson, Baldursson, Gudmundsson; Oskarsson
Where to watch Argentina v Iceland: TV and online streams
Argentina versus Iceland kicks off at 2am UK time in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
You can watch it on ITVX.
Stats for Argentina v Iceland
- Argentina have won their last six games, albeit against weak opposition
- Their last defeat came in World Cup qualifying when they lost 1-0 to Ecuador last September
- The teams’ only previous meeting came at the 2018 World Cup and ended in a 1-1 draw in Moscow with Messi missing a penalty
Prediction for Argentina v Iceland
Argentina have made a habit of picking off average sides in recent months and this trend seems likely to continue.
The main hope is that their big-name players come through unscathed.
Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Iceland
