Scaloni says Messi could return in Argentina friendlies before World Cup opener

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Lionel Messi has made progress in his recovery and could get limited playing time in one of the team's two friendly matches before the World Cup begins.

Speaking on Friday, Scaloni said Messi had resumed partial training with the squad after previously working away from the group. The Argentina captain suffered a strain in his left hamstring in Inter Miami's most recent match and had not been expected to feature against Honduras.

Scaloni said Argentina would decide whether Messi appears against Honduras on Saturday in College Station, Texas, or in the following friendly against Iceland on Tuesday in Auburn, Alabama. Argentina, the defending world champions, open their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.

Scaloni said:

Leo is doing well, he has already trained partly with the group, he's no longer completely separated

He added:

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.

Several Argentina players dealing with fitness concerns

Scaloni said Messi's improvement had eased concerns within the camp as the medical staff continue to monitor a number of players ahead of the tournament.

He said:

He's much better and that gives us peace of mind

Goalkeeper Juan Musso of Atletico Madrid is set to start against Honduras at Kyle Field after first-choice keeper Emiliano Martinez fractured the ring finger of his right hand during the warm-up before the Europa League final. According to Scaloni, the team medical staff has decided Martinez will miss both warm-up games, although he is expected to be available for the opening World Cup match against Algeria.

Scaloni also said debutant Santiago Beltran, the young River Plate goalkeeper called up for the friendlies, would be given playing time.

In defence, right-backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are recovering from muscle tears, prompting the coaching staff to summon Agustin Giay and Nicolas Capaldo as replacements for the two friendlies. Centre-back Cristian Romero has returned to training with the group after suffering a knee sprain in April, but Scaloni said he still lacks match fitness and a decision remains to be made on whether he will play or be given more time.

Nicolas Paz is also being closely watched after sustaining a heavy blow to the knee. He is out of the Honduras game and faces a race to be fit for Argentina's World Cup opener. Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez also arrived at the squad's training base in Kansas carrying physical problems. Scaloni said both are improving, but it remains unclear whether either will play in the two friendlies.

On the condition of the injured players, Scaloni said:

The situation is improving

He added:

They're fine, and we don't want to risk them in these games, and the idea is surely that (the injured players) won't take part in these friendlies.

Scaloni said none of them would feature against Honduras, while leaving open the possibility that one could appear in the second match. He said the next week would provide a clearer picture of the squad's condition before the World Cup begins.

He said:

In this one (against Honduras), definitely not

Scaloni added:

In the second, there might be a chance that one of them could play.

Looking ahead, the Argentina coach said:

For now everything is going quite well, and next week we'll see