Argentina
Messi for Sampaoli? Hints on Argentina star for Spain clash
The Albiceleste completed their second training session at Real Madrid's Ciudad Deportiva complex and everyone is asking if Messi will play against Spain.
The Argentina team is preparing for the second of their two friendly matches of this Fifa international break and after sitting out the win over Italy, the question on everyone's lips is if Lionel Messi will play against Spain.
Argentina preparing for La Roja test
The 2-0 victory over the Azzurri in Manchester on Friday was without the Barcelona star after the medical team had said it was best he sat the first game out. Teammates, fans, and some opposition players are keen for the country's talisman to be fit to play in the glamour tie at Atlético Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday against Spain, and the signs were positive as he trained with the rest of the squad. Jorge Sampaoli's men completed their second training session at the Ciudad Deportiva Alfredo Di Stéfano on Sunday morning, the training location of Real Madrid.
Messi training as normal with Sampaoli squad
In addition to the presence of the number '10' on the training field, a peak at Argentina manager's notebook gave us a hint to what we may expect on Tuesday. A snap of Sampaoli's page shows the potential line-up that includes Messi. The team put together to practice was Fazio, Funes Mori, Bustos, Biglia, Pablo Perez, Messi, Meza, Perotti and Lautaro Martinez.
In the other team Sampaoli included: Rojo, Otamendi, Mascherano, Banega, Lo Celso, Pavón and Higuaín. The names of Acuña, Mercado and Correa appeared in the margin of the paper.
Although it seems a little hasty to use those formations to give any real insight into the starting line-up to play La Roja, one thing appears clear. Leo Messi is training once again as one of the squad, ready to be called upon to deliver when required.