Argentina Dealt Bad News After Lionel Messi’s Injury Recovery

While Messi is now expected to be available for the opener, Argentina has been handed another injury concern.

According to ESPN Argentina’s Diego Monroig, left-back Nicolas Tagliafico is a doubt for the Algeria match due to discomfort. The timing is far from ideal for Scaloni, who has already spent much of the buildup managing fitness issues across the squad.

Tagliafico’s potential absence would be a significant blow. The veteran defender has been one of Argentina’s most reliable performers throughout the Scaloni era, playing a key role in the team’s triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and consecutive Copa América tournaments. His experience, defensive stability and understanding with Argentina’s back line make him one of the first names on the team sheet when healthy.

Aside from Tagliafico, DS Sports confirmed that Nico González is with discomforts, while Monroig also reported that goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is scheduled to undergo decisive medical tests on Thursday to determine whether his injured hand has improved sufficiently ahead of the Algeria match. Martínez has been managing a finger injury throughout Argentina’s World Cup preparation and remains one of the team’s most important players. 

Argentina is already dealing with at least one confirmed absence after defender Leonardo Balerdi was ruled out of the World Cup with a calf injury suffered in training. The Marseille center-back was forced to withdraw from the squad just days before the tournament. 

Despite the injury concerns, Argentina remains one of the favorites to lift the trophy. The defending champions begin Group J play against Algeria before facing Austria and Jordan. Messi’s successful return has eased one major concern, but Scaloni will be hoping Thursday’s medical updates allow him to put his strongest possible lineup on the field when Argentina’s title defense officially begins.