Lionel Messi return hands Argentina boost with Barcelona star set to start vs Venezuela

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Ben Hayward22 March 2019

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is excited to have Lionel Messi back with the national team and confirmed the Barcelona forward will start Friday’s friendly against Venezuela in Madrid.

Messi took an extended break from international duty after last summer’s World Cup, in which Argentina were knocked out by eventual winners France in the last 16.

But the 31-year-old is back in the squad for the friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco as the Albiceleste continue their preparations for the Copa America, which takes place in June and July.

“Messi’s return is a joy,” Scaloni said in a press conference at the Wanda Metropolitano on Thursday.

“Despite my young age, I have the chance of coaching him. I have to try and get the team to accompany him and to get the best out of him.”

The Argentina team in training ahead of their match against Venezeula on Friday Photo: AFP
AFP

Argentina have beaten Guatemala, Iraq and Mexico (twice) since the World Cup, with a goalless draw against Colombia in that time and a 1-0 defeat to Brazil.

“We hope Messi’s return can strengthen the team,” Scaloni said.

The squad for the games against Venezuela and Morocco is missing a number of big names, including strikers Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Mauro Icardi, and midfielder Ever Banega, as Scaloni tries out different players ahead of the Copa.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Angel Di Maria has had to drop out through injury.

“When a player gets injured, it’s never good,” Scaloni said. “Not for the coach, nor for the group. I would like to have looked at Angel.”

And he added: “Let’s hope that, when it comes to giving the list for the Copa America, that all the players are available.”

Included | Juan Foyth has been named in Argentina's squad to face Venezuela Photo: Tottenham Hotspur FC/Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur FC/Getty Images

Tottenham’s Juan Foyth will start in a three-man back line for the Albiceleste as Scaloni named the XI to face Venezuela, ranked 32nd in the world by FIFA, 21 places below Argentina.

Messi is unlikely to feature for 90 minutes on Friday and could return to Barcelona after the game at Atletico Madrid’s stadium, instead of travelling to Morocco for next week's match.

Argentina’s XI: Franco Armani; Montiel, Mercado, Foyth, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; Lo Celso, Paredes; Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Gonzalo Martinez.

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