Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi who has taken a personal break from international football matches will start against Venezuela on Friday, ending his nine-month absence from the national side.
Messi has failed to represent his country since the sorry exit of the Argentine team in World Cup last-16 exit at the hands of France in Russia last June.
He is set to feature from the start in Friday’s friendly in Madrid as Argentina step up their preparations for the Copa America, which gets under way in less than three months.
Although revelling in the return of Messi, Scaloni was disappointed to see Angel Di Maria withdraw from the squad due to a muscular problem.
Argentina will be strong favourites to overcome Venezuela at the Wanda Metropolitano, especially with Messi restored to the line-up, but Scaloni is taking nothing for granted. He has told his players to be focused as Venezuela will pose a great threat with their direct attack minded football