The coach of the Argentina National Team announced that he will use the matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico to evaluate new players ahead of the 2026 World Cup
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In the lead-up to the friendlies that the Argentina National Team will play against Venezuela (October 10) and Puerto Rico (October 13), Lionel Scaloni stated that the matches will serve to define the core of the squad that will travel to the 2026 World Cup, although he made it clear that he won't put Lionel Messi or any player with physical discomfort at risk.
"We're going to try, as is logical in these matches,to see new people, people we've brought in to see how they're doing... if they can get on board, as we always say. The idea is to take advantage of these matches to see them, beyond the fact that we have a core group. I think these are nice matches to be able to enjoy these guys," Scaloni explained during an institutional event of the AFA.
When asked about Messi's situation, who arrives with a packed schedule at Inter Miami, the coach was clear: "Yesterday was a rest day, for many today will be as well, and we'll make decisions to see how he's doing and the rest for the next match. We're going to talk to him and to everyone. The idea is not to take risks, because these are friendlies. The National Team is important, but anyone who has even a minor problem, whether it's him or 'Huevo' (Acuña), we won't take any risks with him. If they're fit, they will most likely play."
Scaloni quiere cuidar a Messi
The coach also addressed the preparation of the final list for the World Cup: "We have a core group, but you never know what might happen. We have the experience of the previous World Cup, in which we lost players at the last minute. So, we have to wait until the end. We'll see if in the end the list is 23; hopefully it's 26, as it seems it will be."
Finally, Scaloni emphasized that, despite the friendly nature of the upcoming matches, all those drafted will be required to prove themselves: "For us, there are never friendlies and for the players neither, they know it very well. We're at an important moment for what's coming, and whoever gets to play, knows that a lot is at stake."
