Scaloni: Messi is 'fine' and will play against Egypt in World Cup clash

Argentina's head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has confirmed that Lionel Messi is in perfect physical condition to play in the team's World Cup Round of 16 match against Egypt. Scaloni assured reporters that Messi feels well and will be on the field in Atlanta on Tuesday, regardless of any minor concerns.

"Leo, I think, is fine. He didn't complain about anything despite playing 120 minutes the other day (against Cape Verde) at 39 years old," Scaloni said during a press conference at the Mercedes Benz Stadium. "And if he has something, he didn't tell me, so he will play anyway."

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Leo, I think, is fine. He didn't complain about anything despite playing 120 minutes the other day (against Cape Verde) at 39 years old. And if he has something, he didn't tell me, so he will play anyway.

Scaloni revealed that the starting lineup has been decided, though he opted not to share specific details. He acknowledged that some media outlets have a general idea of the team's formation. Reports suggest the lineup will be similar to the one that faced Cape Verde, with potential adjustments concerning Facundo Medina's recovery from cramps and whether Julián Álvarez will start over Lautaro Martínez.

The coach also praised Alexis Mac Allister's performance in the midfield role typically occupied by Leandro Paredes, explaining that Paredes is still recovering from an injury sustained before the tournament. Scaloni anticipates a challenging match against Egypt, describing them as a "very good team" with skilled players and a well-defined playing style that has troubled other opponents. Argentina is preparing for various scenarios, including monitoring transitions and avoiding hasty attacks, lessons learned from their previous match.

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Egypt is a very good team because, in addition to having quality players, they have a coach who has been working with them for a long time and has a clear game plan that has complicated matches for all their opponents.