Argentina is shaking right now.
La Albiceleste is one of the many teams that have been flooded with injuries ahead of the start of the World Cup on Nov. 20.
Important players like Paulo Dybala, Angel Di María, Leandro Paredes and most recently Giovani Lo Celso have all picked up knocks in the weeks leading up to the final squad list for the tournament.
Gio Lo Celso getting injured is a big worry for Argentina. While Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes (rightfully so) get all the plaudits, Lo Celso quietly has great games. Great chemistry with Lionel Messi and vital in that midfield role.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 1, 2022
Now, with about three different match days left before teams head to Qatar, Argentina have become fearful that other important players will fall to the same pattern.
Argentina is worried Messi will get injured in matches with PSG leading to the World Cup
Lionel Messi is back in top form this season with both PSG and the Argentina national team.
12 goals and 13 assists in just 17 games across all club competitions have become the cherry on top for a 35-game unbeaten Argentina trying to finally lift the World Cup after 26 years.
How about that from Leo Messi! #PSGESTAC pic.twitter.com/cirSSMYMpk
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 31, 2022
However, the 35-year-old’s compatriots and teammates have become concerned that with PSG still to play a couple league games (Lorient and Auxerre) before the break, the likeliness of the No. 10 picking an injury will only get bigger.
Mauro Cetto, former Argentina defender, spoke to L’Equipe about Messi’s start to the season and the fear amongst Argentines over the possibility of Messi getting hurt in the games left to play for PSG in the next couple of weeks.
“Today, we see the real Messi. A much more complete player, who plays a few meters lower, but who scores and assists his teammates” said Cetto. “He’s a player who doesn’t tend to get injured a lot. But we fear that something will happen to him. Especially since this could be his last World Cup. We are all looking forward to these three matches with PSG being over.”
Although – amidst the circumstances – there was speculation that PSG’s No. 30 requested to be left out of the squad for the remaining games before going with the national team, Messi was present in PSG's Champions League match this Wednesday against Juventus.
Our starting 1⃣1⃣ @juventusfcen#JUVPSG I @EASPORTSFIFA pic.twitter.com/LkMBw6jvMk
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) November 2, 2022