The reigning world champions have arrived in the USA to prepare for their title defense. Lionel Messi led the Albiceleste squad to Kansas City on Sunday. The visit has sparked great excitement among fans, while also raising questions about whether this tournament will be the legendary player's final competition for the national team. This is reported by Goal.com .
The Argentina national team arrived in Missouri after an 11-hour flight from Ezeiza International Airport. The team traveled on the symbolic Aerolineas Argentinas flight 1978, a number referencing the year the team first became world champions. The tail of the Airbus A330 features Lionel Messi's iconic number 10 and three gold stars.
The majority of the 26-man squad led by Lionel Scaloni has already checked into the Origin Hotel in downtown Kansas City. The team is scheduled to hold its first full training session on Monday at the Compass Minerals National Performance Center, owned by Sporting Kansas City. Some stars playing in Europe are expected to join the team slightly later.
Currently, everyone is concerned about the team captain's physical condition. Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament, is battling a left hamstring strain. The national team's medical staff stated that his participation depends on his "clinical and functional recovery process." Argentina will play its first match against Algeria on June 16.
Coach Lionel Scaloni addressed rumors about Lionel Messi retiring, emphasizing that it would be difficult not to see him on the pitch. "I want him to continue playing, because not seeing legends like Diego Maradona on the pitch makes one sad. They are players who have made football history. Thinking about his departure gives me no peace, so I prefer to live in the present," said the coach.
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