Argentina began preparations for the World Cup on Friday in Qatar and immediately faced the first anxious moment of the campaign.
Their captain and star forward Lionel Messi will be carrying the hopes of the nation during the World Cup but it was his absence from the team's first training session that got the most attention.
The PSG star was not seen during the open training session at the team's Qatar University base. It raised concerns about Messi's fitness and even resulted in speculation about a possible injury during his team's friendly against the UAE.
However, Argentine outlet Ole stated that Messi started Friday's training session in the gym as part of a 'special' programme. He reportedly joined Lionel Scaloni's squad for the second half of the training session.
The team flew in early Thursday from Abu Dhabi, where they beat UAE 5-0 in their final World Cup warm-up on Wednesday night with Messi, 35, scoring his 91st international goal.
One of the favourites going into this year's World Cup, the South Americans will begin their campaign on Tuesday against Saudi Arabia in Group C, which also includes Mexico and Poland.
Messi has lifted a number trophies but the tournament in Qatar is likely to be his final chance to equal the achievement of fellow Argentine great Diego Maradona, a World Cup winner in 1986.
However, the Paris Saint-Germain forward was cautious about the team's chances.
"We are very excited," the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner said in an interview with CONMEBOL, the South American football federation.
"We have a very nice group that is very eager, but we think about going little by little. We know that World Cup groups are not easy."
-
Lionel Messi arrives with the Argentina squad at Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, November 17, 2022. Reuters -
Lionel Messi, top right, and the Argentina squad arrive in Doha following a 5-0 win over UAE in Abu Dhabi. Reuters -
Argentina's Lionel Messi arrives in Doha alongside Rodrigo De Paul. Reuters -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi, second right, and teammates arrive at the Hamad International Airport in Doha on November 17, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. AFP -
The Argentina squad disembarks the airplane at Hamad International Airport. Getty Images -
Angel Di Maria, left, and Lionel Messi, back left, arrive with teammates at Hamad International Airport in Doha. Argentina will play the first match in the World Cup against Saudi Arabia on November 22. AP Photo -
Angel Di Maria, left, and Lionel Messi, second right, of Argentina arrive with teammates at Hamad International Airport in Doha. AP Photo -
The airplane carrying the Argentina nsquad is painted with pictures of Lionel Messi, center, Angel Di Maria, left, and Rodrigo De Paul arrives at Hamad International airport in Doha, Qatar. AP Photo -
Members of the Argentina team peer out from the windows on their plane. AFP -
Members of the Argentina team peer out from the windows on their plane. AFP
