Scaloni: Messi fit and willing for World Cup qualifiers

BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said Wednesday that Lionel Messi will play as many minutes as possible in the opening two rounds of South America's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament.

The 36-year-old has had a heavy schedule of matches for new club Inter Miami but is expected to start for the Albiceleste against Ecuador in Buenos Aires on Thursday.

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