Lionel Scaloni says he won’t take ‘risks’ on Messi fitness

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has revealed that he would not take any risks with Messi’s fitness. Scaloni said not only Messi, he wouldn’t take any risks if a player is not 100% fit ahead of the World Cup qualifier clash against Venezuela at Miami’s Hard Rock stadium on Friday.

Messi has played seven games in the last three weeks before he joined Albiceleste on Monday. After their clash against Venezuela, Argentina will take on Puerto Rico in Chicago on Oct. 13.

“We will make a decision, we will see how he [Messi] and the rest of the players are,” Scaloni said.

Messi and his teammate Rodrigo De Paul’s participation against Venezuela is hanging by a thin thread as Inter Miami will face Atalanta United in a crucial Major League Soccer match at the Chase Stadium on Saturday.

While Inter Miami has already booked its berth in the 2025 MLS playoffs, the club will fight to seal the top position in the Eastern Conference table to make sure they have home-field advantage during the postseason.

“We are going to talk to him [Messi] and to the others,” Scaloni said. “The idea is no to risk anyone. These are important games for the national team but there are friendlies. Whoever has a minor problem whether it’s him or someone else, we are not going to take any risks whatsoever.”

Messi has scored 24 goals and delivered 17 assists in the MLS this season and thus he has been in top form for the Herons. 

Scaloni added that the forthcoming matches will be used to test new players ahead of next year’s World Cup.

“Naturally, we are going to try to give a chance to new players, to see if they can get on board,” he said.

“That is the idea — to use these matches to try different players. We feel that every time there is an international match — whether official or friendly — it provides a unique opportunity.”