World Cup 2022: Argentina Say Messi Will Be Fit to Play Against France

• Argentina has watered down the concerns over the fitness of Lionel Messi ahead of the World Cup final this weekend against France
• The 35-year-old missed Argentina’s training session on Thursday, December 15 after he prompted an injury scare as he was seen holding his leg during Croatia win
• Messi has scored 5 goals so far in the competition in Qatar and is on course to win his first World Cup trophy with Argentina

Argentina will have Lionel Messi to call upon when the World Cup kicks off on Sunday, December 18 after the South American champions confirmed the 35-year-old remains fit.

Messi had missed Argentina’s training session on Thursday after he was seen clutching his hamstring during the semi-final win against Croatia, prompting panic among Argentina fans.

According to the Daily Mail, the Argentina team has now revealed the Paris Saint-Germain superstar has no issues and is ready to play in the final against France.

World Cup 2022: Lionel Messi set to make 1000th career appearance against Australia

Football

Messi was reported to be inside completing a recovery session, along with Papu Gomez, Lautaro Martinez, and other players who started on Tuesday.

Messi has been an integral part of Argentina's World Cup success, winning four man of the match awards and scoring five goals in the team's first six games.

Canelo makes Messi admission ahead of World Cup final

Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez is backing Lionel Messi to win the World Cup with Argentina after admitting that the 35-year-old is too good, Marca reports.

The Mexican boxer was mesmerized by Messi’s man of the match performance against Croatia in the semi-finals, especially when he created Argentina’s third goal for Alvarez.

Argentina will be bidding to win the World Cup for the third time, while Messi is hoping to lift the trophy for the first time in his career on Sunday when they take on France at the Lusail Stadium.

Ecuador World Cup Squad 2022: Is Enner Valencia playing in this World Cup?

Football

Gvardiol makes sincere admission after Messi ordeal

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol has broken his silence after his semifinal encounter with Lionel Messi.

Touted as one of the outstanding defenders of the 2022 World Cup, Gvardiol's impressive campaign at the Mundial was put to test when Croatia and Argentina crossed paths for a spot in the finals.

The 20-year-old defender, who has appeared on the radar of Chelsea, was rendered powerless by the mesmeric dribbling skillset of Leo Messi, who literally took Gvardiol to the cleaners.