BUENOS AIRES.- Without having confirmed your participation in the World, Lionel Messi will begin to say goodbye to the Argentine fans when the albiceleste faces Zambia on Tuesday in La Bombonera, in the last test at home before the maximum tournament of the FIFA.
The Rosario star, 38, had already said goodbye to his country’s passionate fans in September, in his last official match in a South American tie in Argentina. It was a 3-0 win against Venezuela with a double from the crack.
Tuesday’s clash is expected to be the 10’s last on home soil.
Zambia will not be in North America and has little football history, but it will measure the oil of world champions questioned by their gray 2-1 victory against Mauritania on Friday in Buenos Aires and for not having played against European opponents since the coronation in Qatar 2022.
Although few are betting on Messi’s absence in what would be his sixth World Cup, a record, the truth is that the living legend of Argentina is already walking towards absolute retirement from his national team after more than two decades of defending his country.
While that happens, number 10 will start in the last friendly before Lionel Scaloni reveal the list of those summoned for the World Cup (June 11-July 19).
“The important thing is that you come and enjoy being in a World Cup, which theoretically is going to be your last. We want you to enjoy it, because afterwards you miss playing all these things,” the coach said this Monday at a press conference.
Mission: improve
Against Zambia, the historic scorer of the Argentine team will seek to improve the discreet image he left in the 45 minutes he had against Mauritania, a weak rival, but who enthusiastically complicated the world champion.
The “Pulga” entered in the second half, but came into play little and seemed uncomfortable occupying the center forward role, with just a couple of sparks of his seal and without having had a single clear situation to score.
“I am convinced that the team’s level is not what it was the other day. If we see that the team is not there, we will look for options. But it deserves a vote of confidence,” the driver insisted.
Scaloni said many times in his eight-year cycle as Albiceleste coach that the only undisputed starter is Messi. So, barring some rarity, number 10 has a secure place on the list of 26 players who will come to North American soil.
The coach uses these last two friendlies at home to finish defining the list of players, with an abundance of names in some sectors and fair pieces in other positions.
Fight for a place
For example, the attacker Nicolas Paz He added points by scoring a great free kick goal against Mauritania in search of a place for which they also want to apply Franco Mastantuono, Giovani Lo Celso –absent due to injury- and Gianluca Prestianni.
Another candidate on the attacking front is José Manuel “Flaco” Lópezas a third striker behind Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez. His chances grew after the serious knee injury he suffered Joaquin Panichelliwho will miss the World Cup.
For the right back position, Scaloni has Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montielbut the player’s recurring injuries River Plate could open the door to Agustín Giaywhile Valentine Boat He aspires to earn a place on the left lane.
“The list is quite clear to me, but if the performances are not adequate we will take measures to achieve the best possible, we look for the closest to perfection,” said the coach.
The helmsman said that he has already presented a first list of 55 names to the AFA, but it will be at the end of May when he will make the final cut with the 26 chosen.
Argentina will then travel to USA to begin the concentration in Kansas City, the host city for the defender of the crown camp.
He will play a friendly match with Serbiathe first European they will face after winning the crown in Tasteand another rival to be confirmed, in preparation for his debut against Algeria on June 16.
