In optimal conditions, Argentina and Messi continues to prepare for America Cup of the United States. The albiceleste was a scene of joy for Leo and all the champions of the world. No visible traumatic problems. It is just a matter of adjusting the details to defend the crown achieved in 2021 at the Maracaná, eventually taking off to touch the skies a year later in Qatar. He said he was playing. Friendly match against Ecuador, in Chicago, at the Soldier Field stadium, starting at one o’clock in the morning this Monday in Spain.
Lionel Scaloni has just confirmed that Messi will play, although he may not complete the 90 minutes. The coach will first assemble the same midfield that started in that final in Brazil, almost three years ago. Headlines Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes and Giovani Lo Celso. In the second period, two will add minutes that went to the eleven of Qatar: Enzo Fernández (he had groin surgery) and Alexis Mac Allister.
One of the unknowns who will be moving again in Argentina is the center forward. Lautaro Martínez, who has had a sensational season at Inter, will start, but Julián Alvarez, who is highly regarded at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, will only challenge him there. And Angel Di María began to go through his final selection minutes, announcing that he will say goodbye to the albiceleste in this Copa América. It will be necessary to see if Fideo starts against Ecuador or Alejandro Garnacho, one of the symbols of the poor renewal that Scaloni is trying.
At the moment, the Argentine delegation consists of 29 players. Scaloni has to cut the list to 26. For physical reasons, Germán Pezzella is in doubt (he is recovering from a microfracture in a finger suffered in mid-May), discussing a place with Lucas Martínez Quarta and Leonardo Balerdi. One out of three will be released.
Valentin Barco and Valenín Carboni, outside
Marcos Acuña was also worried because of pubalgia. But the Sevilla full-back has responded well to working days and will play in the Copa América. The young Valentín Barco, from Brighton, will be left at 26. And the third uncontacted is Valentín Carboni, the young man from Monza, who will lose the battle with a world champion like Angel Correa.
Ecuador represents a good test. It is a rival that usually demands, to football players with international experience (Moisés Caicedo, Enner Valencia) but also to young people who are excited, like Kendry Páez, the talented 17-year-old midfielder who recently turned 17 years old belonging to Independiente del Valle and who in 2025 he will now join Chelsea. Coach Félix Sánchez Bas will field a formation designed with five defenders.
Argentina did its final training in Miami and traveled to Chicago this Saturday for this friendly, which will not be the last. The match that will close the preparations will be played by the albiceleste on Friday against Guatemala. Then yes, the Copa América: debut on June 20 against Canada, for the first date of Group A that also includes Chile and Peru. For greater glory.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
