Scaloni unclear on Messi’s long-term Argentina plans

Temporary Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is uncertain when Lionel Messi will play for his county again. Lionel Messi will not play in Argentina’s next two matches with Guatemala and Colombia, with his long-term international future reportedly in doubt. "I talked to Messi and, based on that chat, he is not in the squad for these two matches," Scaloni told a news conference. "Honestly, we didn't talk about what can happen in the future. "We all know what he represents for us. I have a good relationship with him and we were both very clear. He's not in the squad and, in the future, we'll see. We have more matches to play and we'll see. "It can't be better for any coach in the world if Messi isn't there... It would be most imprudent on my part to tell him to stay in Barcelona and not come [to the national team]." Beloved Sergio Aguero, creative Angel Di Maria, uncertain Gonzalo Higuain and Nicolas Otamendi are among a number of other senior players not to be included in the latest squad. Instead, Mauro Icardi has earned a recall. "Icardi, Martinez and Simeone are players of a huge level," said Scaloni. "Mauro is the one who has spent the longest among the elite, but all of them can help. I have complete faith in them."

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