Lionel Scaloni drops hint over Lionel Messi's injury recovery

The 37-year-old is currently sidelined with an ankle injury that he sustained in the 2024 Copa America final against in July.

Messi has not played any competitive football since he hobbled off in the 66th minute of Argentina's 1-0 extra-time victory against Colombia.

As a result, Messi has not featured for Inter Miami since scoring a goal in a 3-3 draw against St Louis City on June 2.

Messi's national side are also having to cope without his services, with Argentina currently competing in CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

In Messi's absence, Argentina recorded a 3-0 victory in Thursday's home clash with Chile thanks to efforts from Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Paulo Dybala.

With Messi unable to wear his number 10 jersey, Dybala was presented with the chance to don the iconic number in Buenos Aires.

The Roma attacker is expected to wear the number 10 again in Tuesday's meeting with Colombia, but he may have to hand it back to Messi for the next round of international action.

Scaloni has hinted that Messi could be named in the squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.

"We hope that Messi starts playing," Scaloni told reporters. "When we have to give the next list we will communicate with everyone and he will not be the exception. This will be in approximately two weeks. Then we will see if he is fit."

Scaloni makes Messi admission

Scaloni admitted that it is "difficult" for Argentina not to rely on their all-time record goalscorer, but he insisted that his team has learned to adapt to Messi's absence.

Scaloni said: "It's difficult for a team not to depend on Messi in terms of football because he's a unique player.

"But this team has a game idea beyond who plays. Everyone plays the same thing. That helps. When Leo isn't there we do the same thing without that final touch that he has."

Having won six and lost one of their seven qualifying matches, La Albiceleste enjoy a four-point gap to Uruguay at the top of the standings.

They will look to extend their unbeaten run to 13 matches in all competitions when they travel to Barranquilla for Tuesday's rematch of the 2024 Copa America final against Colombia.