Lionel Messi set to feature in friendly against Iceland
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will play in the upcoming friendly against Iceland, though the technical staff remains cautious regarding fitness levels.
Argentina is finalizing preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a final friendly match against Iceland in the United States. Ahead of the encounter, head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that captain Lionel Messi will see action, though the exact duration of his appearance remains subject to further discussions to avoid unnecessary risks.
Messi is going to play. I don't know how many minutes, I have to talk to him and we will see how long he will be on the pitch to avoid any risk. Lionel Scaloni
The squad is managing several fitness concerns, with the recent injury to Leonardo Balerdi serving as a warning to minimize risks. Scaloni confirmed that Nico Paz, Gonzalo Montiel, and Nahuel Molina are available for selection, providing depth in defensive positions, while the staff continues to monitor Julian Alvarez and Leandro Paredes.
Scaloni acknowledged the difficulties all national teams face in reaching full fitness given the heavy workload players faced at the end of the club season. For the defending world champions, this match against Iceland serves as a crucial test to evaluate player conditions before their tournament debut against Algeria.