Scaloni Worried About Player Fitness Ahead of World Cup

Argentina's head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has voiced concerns about the physical condition of his squad just days before their 2026 World Cup debut. Scaloni stated that many players are not at peak fitness due to recent injuries, which worries him about the team's readiness for the upcoming friendly match against Iceland. "We have had bad luck with these players, they are not at 100%, and I worry about them finishing the match well," Scaloni said during a press conference. He emphasized that while the team will play the friendly with full effort, the primary concern is avoiding further injuries. Lionel Messi is expected to participate in the match, though his playing time will be carefully managed. Scaloni also indicated potential lineup changes, including starting defenders Montiel, Romero, and Otamendi, with Nico González possibly playing on the left flank. The midfield is expected to feature De Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Messi, Almada, and Lautaro Martínez.

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We have had bad luck with these players, they are not at 100%, and I worry about them finishing the match well.