Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will start the friendly against Zambia at La Bombonera on Tuesday night. The decision follows a narrow 2‑1 win over Mauritania, where Messi entered as a halftime substitute. Scaloni said the match will help shape the 26‑player roster for the World Cup.

Scaloni noted that the squad will be trimmed based on performance, saying, “We have to start discarding options now.” The 2‑1 victory over a 115th‑ranked side, which has never qualified for the World Cup, gave the coaching staff a chance to evaluate players in a competitive setting ahead of the tournament in the coming months.

Scaloni also addressed Messi’s uncertain World Cup status, saying the nation would love to see him on the squad. He added that fans worldwide want to watch Messi train and play, hoping he enjoys the experience. Argentina will debut against Algeria on June 16 in Group J, then face Austria and Jordan in the tournament together.

With the friendly set, Argentina’s coaching staff will fine‑tune tactics and player roles before the World Cup. The match against Zambia offers a final test of cohesion after the Mauritania game.