Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has moved to allay concerns over Lionel Messi's fitness, describing the star's latest injury as 'not that bad' with two weeks to go before the World Cup. The 38-year-old was diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring by Inter Miami after being substituted during their 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
Scaloni told Argentinian TV station DSports on Tuesday: 'Obviously we would have preferred that nothing had happened. Now one has to wait and see how it evolves and above all the new tests they are going to conduct in order to see if it confirms their original diagnosis.' The manager is due to name his squad next week.
Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos said Messi was tired and the pitch was heavy, and he did not want to take a risk. The club's statement on Monday gave little indication of the timeline for his return, saying it would depend on his clinical and functional progress.
Argentina begin their World Cup campaign on 16 June against Algeria in Kansas City, followed by Austria on 22 June and Jordan on 28 June. Messi has not formally confirmed his participation but is widely expected to make a record-equalling sixth appearance at the finals.
Meanwhile, a giant golden statue of Messi erected in Kolkata, India, during his GOAT Tour in December is being secured with ropes after it began swaying in the wind. Workers have scrambled up the 21-metre structure to stabilise it, and it will be removed.
