August 21, (THEWILL) – The manager of Paris Saint-Germain, Mauricio Pochettino, has confirmed that he is open to allowing Argentine football icon Lionel Messi link up with the Argentina national side for September’s World Cup qualifiers for which Messi may likely be invited.
Since his shock exit from Barcelona and swift move to the French capital, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner has yet to play for PSG as he makes steady progress towards regaining match fitness after Argentina’s Copa America success.
In that time, Messi has followed the team’s training schedule while watching from the stands as his new teammates keep the winning start to the season on course. On Friday, they were 4-2 winners over Brest without Messi in the squad.
However, Pochettino has now suggested that Messi was in contention to debut in next week’s Ligue 1 clash against Reims when they travel to the Stade Auguste Delaune for the Matchday four fixture of the season.
It will be the final fixture for Ligue 1 and PSG before the players leave for the first international duty of the 2021/2022 campaign and the PSG manager revealed that he had no worries about his compatriot representing Argentina if invited.
Pochettino said: “I have not yet spoken with the national team selectors. But they know that I am pro-selection and that we are to help not only Argentina, but all those nations which involve our players.”
It also points to Neymar’s situation as well. The Brazilian is also yet to play for PSG since reaching the Copa America final. This week, he was named in Brazil’s squad for their upcoming fixtures in September in the CONMEBOL region.
Just like Messi, Neymar’s last competitive feature was that final between both their countries at the Copa America, that Argentina won, way back on July 10. Messi played a key role in his country’s first major title in 28 years with four goals and five assists to win the Golden Boot award.
The pair of Messi and Neymar were awarded the best players of the competition after their individual contributions to the progress of both their national teams, all through the group stages to the decisive final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In the six qualifying matches played so far for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Argentina have won three and drawn three and they will next face Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia in the fixtures for next month. These tough encounters mean they will call upon all available first team stars to make sure they qualify.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
