Lionel Messi is set to start in the friendly match against Zambia on Tuesday, as confirmed by Argentina’s national team manager Lionel Scaloni on Monday.
“Yes, I think he’ll start from the beginning tomorrow,” Scaloni stated to reporters.
During Friday’s friendly, Argentina won 2-1 against Mauritania, where Messi came off the bench in the second half.
Scaloni mentioned that the matches against Mauritania and Zambia will help shape Argentina’s 26-player roster for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
“The list of 26 players for the World Cup, I think we’re above the percentage,” he said. “We have to start discarding options based on performance. There is no other option.”
Argentina, the current World Cup champions, faced a tougher challenge against Mauritania, ranked No. 115 by FIFA and with no World Cup qualifications.
“The game the other night could’ve been a warning,” Scaloni noted. “It’s something that, as a head coach, one starts assessing and later, we will decide.”
Messi has not yet confirmed his participation in the World Cup, but Scaloni is optimistic that he will choose to play.
“The important thing is that he comes and enjoys himself,” Scaloni added. “That he enjoys being at the World Cup, which may be the last, but I wouldn’t say anything definitive, just that he enjoys it.”
“I think not just Argentines want to see him; everyone wants to see him. They want to watch him train, see him play, and that is what everyone wishes for.”
Argentina aims for its fourth World Cup title and will kick off its campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Group J in Kansas City. Their next matches are against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.