Messi to get minutes in both friendlies, but benched in the first | OneFootball

The Argentina National Team is getting ready for what will be its final two matches in the country before heading to the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As a result, there is a great deal of anticipation surrounding Lionel Messi’s involvement in the games against Mauritania and Zambia. In this regard, coach Lionel Scaloni’s plan would be to give him minutes in both matches, but to start him only in the second one.

Although Messi was initially expected to start both matches, the truth is that Scaloni tested other options in Thursday’s final training session. As such, La Pulga trained with the substitutes, despite having been with the starters on Wednesday.

The player who took his place alongside the presumed starters was Nicolás Paz, who is increasing his chances of being in the starting eleven against Mauritania on Friday night at La Bombonera. Alongside him, Julián Álvarez will be the center forward, while Nico González and Thiago Almada are competing for the third spot in the Albiceleste attack.

Another option the coach tested was Giuliano Simeone as a midfielder alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández. As a result, Leandro Paredes gave up his place among the starters, so there could be another “battle” for a spot in the lineup that will face the African side.

In any case, as far as Messi is concerned, the truth is that La Pulga will most likely get minutes on Friday, so the fans attending La Bombonera will not miss out on seeing him. Meanwhile, next week against Zambia, the captain will start to say goodbye to the fans before traveling to the United States.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.