Argentina continues its preparations for the upcoming World Cup, and head coach Lionel Scaloni addressed the media ahead of the friendly against Honduras. During his press conference, he discussed the condition of several injured players, confirmed his starting goalkeeper, and shared his thoughts on the current state of the team.

Injured Players Are Recovering Well

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the squad is the fitness of several players dealing with injuries. Scaloni reassured supporters that their recovery is progressing as expected.

"The players who are training separately are improving. They're doing well, and we don't want to take risks in these friendly matches. We'll see how they continue to progress," the coach explained.

Messi Is Improving And Could See Minutes

Scaloni also spoke about Lionel Messi, who has already begun training with the rest of the squad.

"Leo is doing well and has started training partially with the group. He's no longer working separately. He could get some minutes in these friendlies. He's much better, and that gives us peace of mind," Scaloni revealed.

Musso Will Start Against Honduras

When asked about Argentina's goalkeeper situation, Scaloni confirmed who will start the match.

"Juan Musso will be in goal. Perhaps Gerónimo Rulli will play in the next match, and we'll see if we can give Santiago Beltrán some minutes as well," he said.

A Tribute To Indio Solari

Before focusing on football matters, Scaloni offered condolences following the passing of Indio Solari.

"My condolences to his family. It's a huge loss for Argentina. All my condolences," he expressed.

The Feeling Ahead Of The World Cup

When comparing the current atmosphere to the lead-up to Qatar, Scaloni admitted the emotions feel very similar.

"I don't remember exactly how we felt before Qatar, but I do remember being excited and eager to do our best. I don't think our mindset is much different now," he said.

The Final Squad Is Still Open

Although Argentina already has a solid core group of players, Scaloni refused to put a percentage on how certain he feels about the final 26-man roster.

"I couldn't give you a number. We feel the players are doing well, but we know that if someone isn't fully available, they could be left out. We've been monitoring them, and when the decisive stage arrives, we'll make the decisions we need to make," he explained.

He added:

"It would be very painful if someone has to be left out, but when the time comes, we'll have to decide."

Scaloni's Funny Conversation With Messi

One of the lighter moments of the press conference came when Scaloni shared a recent exchange with his captain.

"I sent him a message and he replied that he was going to wait for the squad list to see if he was called up," Scaloni said with a laugh. "I told him, 'You're called up!' I was also hoping he'd announce he was going to play in the World Cup, but he said he'd wait for the list."

The Team Comes Before Individuals

Scaloni also discussed the difficult decisions involved in selecting a World Cup squad.

"We've been in the position of being left out of a World Cup before, and we believe it's best for players to find out when the squad is announced. We're grateful to everyone who has been part of the process, but we think about the team. These are difficult decisions, but the team comes first."

An Identity That Won't Change

Regarding Argentina's style of play, Scaloni made it clear that the team will remain true to its footballing identity.

"Our team has a clear style of play, and we're not going to betray it. If we need to adjust certain things depending on the opponent, we will. But the idea is always to play together, connect passes, and control the game. If we need more directness or speed, we'll do that too. The goal is to give the team the tools to adapt to any situation."

Honduras, The First Test

Finally, Scaloni discussed Argentina's next opponent and highlighted his respect for Honduras head coach José Molina.

"First, we're focused on Honduras. They're coached by José Molina, a friend. It's a team we know, and it will be a good test as we continue preparing for what's ahead," Scaloni concluded.

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