Argentina kicks off title defense against Algeria – Messi ahead of sixth World Cup

Injury concerns in goal

National team coach Lionel Scaloni left open whether starting goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will feature in the opener against Algeria. "Ich habe den Spielern noch nicht gesagt, wer spielt. Aber wir müssen abwarten," Scaloni said with a view to the match in Kansas City during the German night into Wednesday (3:00 a.m. CET). The reason is an injury to the keeper, who broke his finger in the Europa League final for his club Aston Villa against SC Freiburg (3-0) and had experienced some problems in training recently. The 33-year-old had still been feeling discomfort in training, but a fitness test came back positive according to Argentine media reports.

Messi ahead of his sixth World Cup

In Kansas City, overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday (from 3:00 a.m.), all eyes will be on captain Lionel Messi, who is playing in his sixth World Cup tournament. With 13 World Cup goals, the striker star needs just three more to match the record of Germany's Miroslav Klose. It will also become clear just how dominant the Miami legionnaire, now nearly 39, still is. "Ich bin glücklich, genieße jeden Moment und bin aufgeregter denn je," the superstar declared in the buildup.

Scaloni announced that his team will throw everything into the balance. "Ich kann versprechen, dass wir unser Bestes geben werden," the 62-year-old stated. With 17 world champions from 2022 in the squad, Lionel Scaloni's side has traveled to North America, where experience and team spirit are meant to be the biggest assets alongside leader Messi – also against Algeria. Veteran Nicolás Otamendi summed up the team's attitude: "Wir wollen für ihn da sein, wollen ihm dienen," the defender said.

Experience and team spirit as trump cards

There is consensus on Messi's role in the team, as one Argentine professional emphasized: "Es ist immer eine Ehre, mit dem größten Fußballer aller Zeiten zu spielen. Für die Gegner wird es sehr schwer werden, gegen Argentinien anzutreten, denn das ist eine sehr starke und sehr geschlossene Mannschaft," said Messi. The "Albiceleste" will be supported in Kansas City by up to 30,000 fans, who should thus hold the atmospheric upper hand.

Scaloni must do without left-back Nicolas Tagliafico, who has picked up a muscle injury and may also miss the clash with Austria on June 22 (7:00 p.m. CEST). With the match against Algeria, Argentina's title defense mission begins at a tournament being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

There is a special constant off the pitch as well: Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who officiated the final in Qatar four years ago – which the Argentinians had won against France on penalties – is now allowed to accompany the South Americans once again. For Scaloni and his team, a familiar face in an otherwise unfamiliar environment.

Algeria as a confident underdog

Algeria arrives with the confidence of a successful World Cup preparation. The "Desert Foxes" have delivered convincing results in recent weeks and want to push the title defender from the very start. The situation is clear: Argentina is the favorite, but surprises have a tradition in opening matches at a World Cup tournament.

Expectations of Messi are high, even though he himself is keeping expectations grounded. "Es ist immer eine Ehre, mit dem größten Fußballer aller Zeiten zu spielen," a teammate had stated. With his 13 World Cup goals, Messi sits just three behind German record scorer Miroslav Klose – a record that could fall at this tournament if he goes far enough with his team.

For the Argentine federation and coach Scaloni, the duel with Algeria is the start of a long tournament journey. Should the "Albiceleste" reach the round of 16, further matches await in the USA, before a potential quarterfinal in another stadium of the host country. The logistical challenge is enormous, but Scaloni stresses that his team is ready.

Record chase on Klose

Off the pitch too, fans are preoccupied with the question of how much more Messi will show at this tournament. At nearly 39 years old, the captain is approaching the end of his career, and every match could be a piece of history. The Argentine supporters in Kansas City, arriving in droves, want to savor this moment – regardless of the result.

In the title defender's camp there is a mix of tension and anticipation. The warm-up matches against the Netherlands and Bolivia have shown that the team is in form, but Scaloni warns against complacency. "Wir müssen abwarten," he had said with a view to the lineup – a word of caution that also applies to the rest of the tournament.

For Algeria, the match is the chance to present itself on the big stage. The team coached by Vladimir Petković has qualified convincingly for the finals and wants to show that North African sides are more than just underdogs. In Kansas City, two worlds meet: the title defender from South America and a challenger with nothing to lose.

With the kickoff at 3:00 a.m. CET overnight into Wednesday, Argentina's title defense mission officially begins. Whether Messi and his team can live up to expectations will become clear in the coming weeks. One thing is certain: the eyes of the football world will be fixed on Kansas City that night.

Outlook: Austria as the next opponent

The day after the Algeria match, attention will already turn to the next highlight on the "Albiceleste's" schedule: on June 22, Argentina faces Austria. The match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. CEST and will be broadcast live on ServusTV – another stiff test for the title defender on the road to the knockout stage.