Lionel Messi is ready to return for Argentina as they face Venezuela in the upcoming CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. However, Alexis Mac Allister’s participation remains uncertain, as confirmed by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.
Messi, the Argentina captain, missed recent qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. He is now back after recovering from an ankle injury suffered during the Copa America final against Colombia in July. The 37-year-old, who plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, had been sidelined but is now available for selection.
Scaloni shared the positive update on Messi during a press conference. “Messi is fine,” Scaloni said. “He’s played several matches for his club in recent weeks. We had agreed he wouldn’t be in the last call-up as he needed to recover and gain more minutes on the field.”
Messi has been training with the squad and is fully fit to feature against Venezuela. Scaloni emphasized the quality of the opposition, adding, “Leo is ready to play, and Venezuela will be a tough rival.”
While Messi’s return is a boost, there are concerns about Alexis Mac Allister. The Liverpool midfielder, 25, was substituted at half-time in his team’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League last weekend due to injury.
“Mac Allister is training separately from the team,” Scaloni revealed. “We will assess his situation ahead of the first game. Right now, he hasn’t been able to join full training. Whether he’ll be in the squad, on the bench, or even play on Thursday is uncertain. It’s difficult for him to make it, but we’re monitoring him.”
Scaloni stressed the importance of managing Mac Allister’s fitness. “He has played many games recently. We need to be careful with him, and we hope to avoid losing any more players. The situation could change later, but for now, we have to take precautions.”
Argentina will face Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium of Maturín on Thursday. As the team continues their preparations, Scaloni mentioned concerns over Hurricane Milton, which has been causing disruptions in Florida, where Argentina is currently training at Inter Miami’s facility.
Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, has caused evacuations and fuel shortages in Florida as it approaches the Gulf Coast. Scaloni acknowledged the potential impact on the team’s plans.
“We are training well, and the facilities are great,” Scaloni said. “However, safety is a priority. There’s concern when you talk about hurricanes, airport closures, and travel disruptions. We are hoping everything goes smoothly, but there are no certainties. We’re worried but staying focused.”
While the match against Venezuela is important for Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign, Scaloni reiterated that player safety is the top priority amidst the weather concerns. The team hopes for a smooth journey as they prepare for a crucial fixture with Messi leading the charge.
