Argentina national team dey prepare to defend dem World Cup title for 2026, and dem get friendly match against Mauritania for La Bombonera stadium for Buenos Aires. Dis match na di last home game wey Argentina go play before di World Cup tournament begin for summer.
Di big question wey all fans dey ask na whether Lionel Messi go play for di match. According to Argentina insider Gaston Edul, Messi no go start for di game. Di coaching staff dey manage im workload to avoid any injury before di World Cup.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni confirm say Messi go play for both di Mauritania match and di next match against Zambia. “Leo is going to play. I don’t know if he’ll start in this match or the other, but he will be in both,” Scaloni talk for press conference.
Scaloni say di coaching staff wan use di friendly matches to see some new players wey dem dey consider for di final World Cup squad. With injuries to key players like Lautaro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso, dis na opportunity for oder players to show wetin dem get.
Mauritania, wey dey ranked 115th for world football, never win any match for six straight games. Dem last victory come more than two years ago for CAF qualifying match against Togo. Mauritania head coach Aritz López Garai talk say dis na once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for im team to face world champion Argentina.
Di match go hold for Friday, March 27 for La Bombonera stadium for 7:15 p.m. ET. Fans fit watch di game on beIN Sports or stream am on ViX through Prime Video. Di stadium don sell out completely as millions of fans dey wait to see Messi play for what fit be im last matches on Argentine soil.
Scaloni talk about Messi participation for di upcoming World Cup: “For my part, you already know what I think. I will do everything possible to ensure he’s there. I believe that, for the good of football, he has to be there.” Di coach add say Messi don earn di right to decide im own participation based on im physical condition and state of mind.
Argentina dey prepare for Group J opener against Algeria for June 16 for di World Cup. Di friendly against Mauritania replace di cancelled Finalissima match against Spain wey suppose hold before. Di Albiceleste enter as massive favorites for di exhibition match against di African team.
Probable lineup for Argentina include goalkeeper “Dibu” Martínez; defenders Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi, and Nicolás Tagliafico; midfielders Nico Paz, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister; and forwards Nico González, Julián Álvarez, and Thiago Almada. Messi likely go come from bench for second half of di game.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
