Life Without the Captain?
The defending champions are facing their worst nightmare just weeks before kickoff. Following his hamstring scare, Lionel Messi is undergoing intensive daily physiotherapy in Miami.
Scaloni's Contingency Plan
Reports from Argentina's closed-door sessions indicate Lionel Scaloni is preparing a 4-3-3 system that does not rely on a traditional number 10. Julian Alvarez is seeing increased reps as a deep-lying forward, while Alejandro Garnacho is being prepped to exploit the wings.
While the AFA remains hopeful Messi will play against Algeria, the team is mentally preparing to navigate the early group stage without him to ensure he is fully fit for the knockouts.