Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says Lionel Messi is fit and looks good ahead of their World Cup opener against Algeria tomorrow.Messi has not started a game since May 24 when he was taken off in Inter Miamis Major League Soccer clash with the Philadelphia Union with muscle fatigue.He made his return for Argentina in a warm-up game against Iceland last week, scoring one and helping create another in a 3-0 win in Alabama.Scaloni confirmed the eight-time Ballon dOr winner had not suffered any ill-effects from that 20-minute cameo and was raring to go as the defending champions look for an opening win in Kansas City.He said: Leo [Messi] has always been there and has always been fundamental, now he will be even more so and he looks good.In further good news for Argentina, Julian Alvarez and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez are also fit.Julin (lvarez) had the ankle problem but his recovery has borne fruit and for tomorrow hes available and is an option, added Scaloni. Emiliano is fine. If everything continues well, I think hes going to play.Argentina are calm ahead of World Cup defence ScaloniArgentina are highly fancied to repeat their success achieved in Qatar four years ago and Scaloni says they are in a good place.Were in the same state as the first day; balance is the word, he said. We try our best for the national team, for our country. Beyond the results, weve maintained the calm and the commitment.In recent years, weve reached this situation because we were able to decompress a bit. Playing calmly was the key. And yes, in any case, tension is felt, it happens to everyone, but its important to feel proud of giving everything no matter what happens.Algeria are Argentinas first opponents in Group J that also contains Austria and Jordan.Scaloni said: I think were going to face a good team, Algeria has earned its place in the World Cup. There have been matches that demonstrate that in this tournament, there are no easy games. Topics Algeria national football team Argentina National Football Team Lionel Messi Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Argentina v Algeria: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream to watch Lionel Messi, prediction Mitch Fretton 15th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full list of confirmed teams, fixtures, groups and results Ben Miller 15th June, 2026 Four years on, can Lionel Messi drag Argentina to another World Cup title? Mitch Fretton 13th June, 2026 World Cup Sweepstake Generator: Will you get England, Brazil, France or Curacao? Jon Fisher 11th June, 2026 Lionel Messi returns with a bang and proves his fitness for the World Cup as Argentina stroll past Iceland Jon Fisher 10th June, 2026 World Cup predictions: Will it be France, Spain, Argentina or maybe even England? And what of Messi and Ronaldo? We offer our expert insight Jon Fisher 12th June, 2026
