Lionel Messi injury update is a positive sign for Argentina ahead of their last-minute preparations for the World Cup. Team captain is improving better than expected following a muscle ailment and his return now appears to be closer than initially thought.
The incident occurred in a Major League Soccer match in which Inter Miami was playing at full strength. It caused serious concern as it was at a crucial time, just before a big tournament. But the new report from the Argentina camp tells a different story.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni announced that Messi is taking part in partial group training. This is an important step. It reflects that the recovery process is on the right track and on course. Earlier, Messi was in training on his own, which is a sign of caution. At present, integration in team sessions indicates that there is some level of preparedness.
Messi could also be sidelined for some of the friendly games, Scaloni added. Argentina will play Honduras and Iceland in their last practice matches. The matches are not playing practice. They are the ‘tactical drills’ leading up to the World Cup.
But from a strategic perspective, Argentina doesn’t have to hurry Messi. Focus is on “fitness” not “match sharpness”. A few minutes on the pitch would be enough to see if he was fit without risking his condition. Messi’s presence is beyond technical. It calms down the team psychologically. With Argentina defending their title, his fitness is paramount for them to be successful in their campaign.
