Lionel Messi did not take part in Argentina's training session on Thursday, sparking fears he is battling an injury ahead of Sunday's World Cup final.
Various reports have suggested Argentina's talisman is managing an injury from Tuesday's 3-0 semi-final victory over Croatia. Messi was seen moving awkwardly and clutching his hamstring towards the end of the clash in Lusail, but was quick to allay any concerns after the game, insisting he will be fit for the final showdown - where Argentina will now face France.
His absence from training on Thursday should also not come as a surprise, though, as all players who started the fixture vs Croatia were given extra recovery and instead took part in a gym session, rather than out on the pitch.
ESPN Argentina report boss Lionel Scaloni split his squad into two separate groups, with one group being put through their paces out on the field, while the others did some conditioning inside. The session was open to the media for the first 15 minutes, where the likes of Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala - neither of whom started against Croatia - could be seen among the group on the pitch.
The only substitute from Tuesday's win who was not present was Papu Gomez, who is currently nursing a sprained ankle. Nicolas Otamendi, one of the starters against Croatia and a key player for La Albiceleste, was spotted watching on from the dugout alongside ex-Argentina striker Sergio Aguero.
Former Manchester City star Aguero would almost certainly have been a part of Scaloni's squad for the tournament in Qatar but for his unfortunate retirement at the end of last year due to a heart condition. Midfielder Leandro Paredes also sat with the pair during the session.
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Scaloni will be able to welcome back Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel for the final after both players missed the Croatia clash due to suspension. But it is the fitness of Messi which is no doubt of prime concern.Speaking after the win, in which Messi scored his fifth goal of the tournament to draw level with France's Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot standings, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner said: "I feel really good, I feel strong and ready to play each game.
“It’s not easy as we arrived tired but the group gained strength again and we played a strong game. I am enjoying this a lot. I feel very happy in this World Cup and I am able to help the squad.”
Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also dismissed suggestions Messi was suffering, replying to reporters: "No, no [he’s not injured]. We played 120 minutes against Holland, it was a hard game for him but you can see he wants to finish every game.
"Physically he’s really good and he’s man of the match every game."
Messi is on course to claim the Player of the Tournament crown following his stunning performances, as victory in the final would seal his ultimate ambition of finally winning a World Cup to cap off a truly outstanding career. Standing in his and Argentina's way, however, are reigning champions France, whose boss Didier Deschamps insist his side will do all they can to deny the forward his dream.
"We will do everything humanly possible for that not to happen," Deschamps told Bein Sports. "At the end of the match, someone is getting a 3rd star on their shirt." Both nations have won the tournament twice, though Argentina have not done so since Diego Maradona led them to the trophy in 1986, while Messi and Co fell agonisingly short in the final in 2014.
