Lionel Messi: Argentina coach says Barcelona star will play at the Copa America

Lionel Messi will play for Argentina in the Copa America in June, according to coach Lionel Scaloni.

Scaloni, speaking in Morocco, where Argentina face the national team on Tuesday, said he has not discussed Messi’s plans with his star man since Argentina lost to Venezuela 3-1 on Friday.

However, he believes it’s “evident” Messi, who retired following the World Cup in Russia, will play.

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view.

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“It is evident he will be. He showed maximum will here and we see he is very driven,” Scaloni said.

When the match against Venezuela finished, we talked about the match, not about what is to come. We will work to get a better team.

1/46 Ranked and rated: Women’s World Cup kits

The kits for the 2019 World Cup have started to be released … but which one is your favourite?

Nike

2/46 France home

They say: “A bespoke navy kit with rose gold logos.”

Our verdict: C’est magnifique! As quintessentially French as coq au vin, berets and rioting.

3/46 France away

They say: “Predominantly white with an all-over graphic hexagon print.”

Our verdict: Sublime.

4/46 South Korea home

They say: “A classic red design with dark blue shorts and red socks.”

Our verdict: “Boring” /ˈbɔːrɪŋ/ adjective. Not interesting; tedious.

5/46 South Korea away

They say: “Predominantly white, with a bold blue and red graphic print subtly inspired by a tiger pattern and the Taegeuk symbol.”

Our verdict: Better than the home effort, but loses points for being a rip-off of the men’s kit.

6/46 Norway home

They say: “A graphic gradient design that draws inspiration from classic Norwegian ski jumpers.”

Our verdict: Gradients are like, so 2018.

7/46 Norway away

They say: “A jersey featuring patterns of differently sized blue and red hoops.”

Our verdict: One word: Meh.

8/46 Nigeria home

They say: “An eclectic combination of bright green, white and black in an especially bold design.”

Our verdict: Yes, it’s another World Cup 2018 rip-off. But who really cares when it remains the best football kit of all time?

9/46 Nigeria away

They say: “A clean design in dark green with subtle zigzag print.”

Our verdict: As deathly dull as the home kit is bold and beautiful. Get in the bin.

10/46 Germany home

They say: “Draws inspiration from the iconic 1990s design.”

Our verdict: YES. Takes the 2018 kit and adds a pop of patriotic colour – 1990 style.

11/46 Germany away

They say: “A wine red base with white logos.”

Our verdict: What a shame it’s not green. Looks too much like an off the peg PE top for our refined tastes.

12/46 China PR home

They say: “Traditional red with volt accents.”

Our verdict: The same dull template that approximately 5,698,427 other football teams are currently wearing.

13/46 China PR away

They say: “Inspired by the team’s Steel Roses nickname.”

Our verdict: Now that’s more like it! Great colours and bonus points for the dragon motif.

14/46 Spain home

They say: “A Glitch interpretation of the classic 1994 strip.”

Our verdict: An understated take on the far more bold 1994 kit. A winner.

15/46 South Africa home

They say: “Yellow with powerful green graphic print.”

Our verdict: Same as the men’s kit: gold, garish and grim.

16/46 South Africa away

They say: “Green with unique all-over print.”

Our verdict: You can’t say it’s not eye-catching. A lot going on – but we like it.

17/46 Australia home

They say: “Combines different shades of yellow, white and green in a brush stroke design.”

Our verdict: All hail the best kit at the 2019 World Cup. Fun, funky and as 1990s as an episode of Kenan & Kel.

18/46 Australia away

They say: “Dark green with lime green and yellow accents.”

Our verdict: Clearly Nike had a job lot of those Nigerian away shirts knocking around their warehouse.

19/46 Italy home

They say: “Based on Puma’s new evoKNIT template.”
Our verdict: If this shirt was an ice cream flavour, it would be vanilla.

20/46 Italy away

They say: “A classic white strip.”

Our verdict: If this shirt was an ice cream flavour, it would be vanilla with a side helping of vanilla.

21/46 Brazil home

They say: “A diverse and bespoke kit design.”

Our verdict: Nothing much to see here, next.

22/46 Brazil away

They say: “Blue with yellow and a bespoke star print.”

Our verdict: Brazil’s blue away kit is just about impossible to mess up. This just about gets the job done.

23/46 Jamaica home

They say: “Vibrant yellow with striking black, green and yellow application.”

Our verdict: The Brazil kit – but budget!

24/46 Jamaica away

They say: “Black with a graphic that pays homage to the vivid culture of Jamaica.”

Our verdict: It shouldn’t work – but it really does. Brilliantly bonkers.

25/46 England home

They say: “Clean look with red cuffs and back panel.”

Our verdict: The nicest England kit in years. See – they don’t have to be deathly boring!

26/46 England away

They say: “Dark red with rose pattern.”

Our verdict: Ooo. A beautifully deep red and rose all-over pattern that screams class. Expect to see it on runways all over the capital come London Fashion Week in September.

27/46 Scotland home

They say: “Simplistic design in traditional colours.”

Our verdict: Very nice. Good of Adidas to go to all that effort considering it will only be worn for three matches.

28/46 Scotland away

They say: “Pink with black applications.”

Our verdict: The pink Manchester United away kit is indisputably the strip of the season (don’t @ us), so great to see the colour returning here.

29/46 Argentina home

They say: “Two sky blue stripes with unique brush stroke effect.”

Our verdict: A modern take on one of the most classic kits in world football.

30/46 Argentina away

They say: “A modern interpretation of the iconic 1993 design.”

Our verdict: Another 2018 rip-off. But, in fairness, it’s a beauty.

31/46 Japan home and away

They say: Bespoke kits to be released very soon.

Getty Images

32/46 Cameroon home and away

They say: Nothing much. Cameroon are yet to sign a kit deal for the tournament.

33/46 Canada home

They say: “Predominantly red with white swoosh.”

Our verdict: Red.

34/46 Canada away

They say: “White with black logos and red numbers.”

Our verdict: White.

35/46 New Zealand home

They say: “White with black trim and fern.”

Our verdict: What’s another word for white?

AFP/Getty Images

36/46 New Zealand away

They say: “A reversion of the colour scheme in black with white detailing.”

Our verdict: Much better. Bonus points for the ferns on the sleeves.

Getty Images

37/46 Netherlands home

They say: “Predominantly orange featuring ‘Orange Quartz’ Swooshes.”

Our verdict: We’re big fans of the swooshes.

38/46 Netherlands away

They say: “Bright turquoise with gradient graphic print.”

Our verdict: Looks too much like a big packet of toothpaste.

Getty Images

39/46 United States home

They say: “White with bold red and blue cuffs.”

Our verdict: It’s a shame the reigning champs don’t have something slightly jazzier – although the stars on the shorts are a lovely touch.

40/46 United States away

They say: “Speed red with bright blue brandings.”

Our verdict: Edgy af.

41/46 Thailand home

They say: “A Warrix design: blue with thin zigzag stripes on the sleeves.”

Our verdict: Gold accents on kits ALWAYS look good.

Getty Images

42/46 Thailand away

They say: “Crimson red with black collar detailing.”

Our verdict: Exactly the same as the home kit, but in a different colour! We see you, Warrix.

Getty Images

43/46 Chile home

They say: A clean design with zigzag knit pattern on the sleeves.”

Our verdict: Great colours, boring design.

Getty Images

44/46 Chile away

They say: “A bold graphic print that combines tapered red and blue stripes.”

Our verdict: Ooosh. Like watching the United States play, but with a migraine.

Getty Images

45/46 Sweden home

They say: “Featuring a pattern of horizontal lines that creates an optical effect.”

Our verdict: I asked our resident Swedish sports journalist, Lawrence Ostlere, for a one word review of this kit. His verdict? “Quite cool.” That’s two words, but oh well.

46/46 Sweden away

They say: “Blue with yellow detailing.”

Our verdict: “Yup, fine.”

Getty Images

1/46 Ranked and rated: Women’s World Cup kits

The kits for the 2019 World Cup have started to be released … but which one is your favourite?

Nike

2/46 France home

They say: “A bespoke navy kit with rose gold logos.”

Our verdict: C’est magnifique! As quintessentially French as coq au vin, berets and rioting.

3/46 France away

They say: “Predominantly white with an all-over graphic hexagon print.”

Our verdict: Sublime.

4/46 South Korea home

They say: “A classic red design with dark blue shorts and red socks.”

Our verdict: “Boring” /ˈbɔːrɪŋ/ adjective. Not interesting; tedious.

5/46 South Korea away

They say: “Predominantly white, with a bold blue and red graphic print subtly inspired by a tiger pattern and the Taegeuk symbol.”

Our verdict: Better than the home effort, but loses points for being a rip-off of the men’s kit.

6/46 Norway home

They say: “A graphic gradient design that draws inspiration from classic Norwegian ski jumpers.”

Our verdict: Gradients are like, so 2018.

7/46 Norway away

They say: “A jersey featuring patterns of differently sized blue and red hoops.”

Our verdict: One word: Meh.

8/46 Nigeria home

They say: “An eclectic combination of bright green, white and black in an especially bold design.”

Our verdict: Yes, it’s another World Cup 2018 rip-off. But who really cares when it remains the best football kit of all time?

9/46 Nigeria away

They say: “A clean design in dark green with subtle zigzag print.”

Our verdict: As deathly dull as the home kit is bold and beautiful. Get in the bin.

10/46 Germany home

They say: “Draws inspiration from the iconic 1990s design.”

Our verdict: YES. Takes the 2018 kit and adds a pop of patriotic colour – 1990 style.

11/46 Germany away

They say: “A wine red base with white logos.”

Our verdict: What a shame it’s not green. Looks too much like an off the peg PE top for our refined tastes.

12/46 China PR home

They say: “Traditional red with volt accents.”

Our verdict: The same dull template that approximately 5,698,427 other football teams are currently wearing.

13/46 China PR away

They say: “Inspired by the team’s Steel Roses nickname.”

Our verdict: Now that’s more like it! Great colours and bonus points for the dragon motif.

14/46 Spain home

They say: “A Glitch interpretation of the classic 1994 strip.”

Our verdict: An understated take on the far more bold 1994 kit. A winner.

15/46 South Africa home

They say: “Yellow with powerful green graphic print.”

Our verdict: Same as the men’s kit: gold, garish and grim.

16/46 South Africa away

They say: “Green with unique all-over print.”

Our verdict: You can’t say it’s not eye-catching. A lot going on – but we like it.

17/46 Australia home

They say: “Combines different shades of yellow, white and green in a brush stroke design.”

Our verdict: All hail the best kit at the 2019 World Cup. Fun, funky and as 1990s as an episode of Kenan & Kel.

18/46 Australia away

They say: “Dark green with lime green and yellow accents.”

Our verdict: Clearly Nike had a job lot of those Nigerian away shirts knocking around their warehouse.

19/46 Italy home

They say: “Based on Puma’s new evoKNIT template.”
Our verdict: If this shirt was an ice cream flavour, it would be vanilla.

20/46 Italy away

They say: “A classic white strip.”

Our verdict: If this shirt was an ice cream flavour, it would be vanilla with a side helping of vanilla.

21/46 Brazil home

They say: “A diverse and bespoke kit design.”

Our verdict: Nothing much to see here, next.

22/46 Brazil away

They say: “Blue with yellow and a bespoke star print.”

Our verdict: Brazil’s blue away kit is just about impossible to mess up. This just about gets the job done.

23/46 Jamaica home

They say: “Vibrant yellow with striking black, green and yellow application.”

Our verdict: The Brazil kit – but budget!

24/46 Jamaica away

They say: “Black with a graphic that pays homage to the vivid culture of Jamaica.”

Our verdict: It shouldn’t work – but it really does. Brilliantly bonkers.

25/46 England home

They say: “Clean look with red cuffs and back panel.”

Our verdict: The nicest England kit in years. See – they don’t have to be deathly boring!

26/46 England away

They say: “Dark red with rose pattern.”

Our verdict: Ooo. A beautifully deep red and rose all-over pattern that screams class. Expect to see it on runways all over the capital come London Fashion Week in September.

27/46 Scotland home

They say: “Simplistic design in traditional colours.”

Our verdict: Very nice. Good of Adidas to go to all that effort considering it will only be worn for three matches.

28/46 Scotland away

They say: “Pink with black applications.”

Our verdict: The pink Manchester United away kit is indisputably the strip of the season (don’t @ us), so great to see the colour returning here.

29/46 Argentina home

They say: “Two sky blue stripes with unique brush stroke effect.”

Our verdict: A modern take on one of the most classic kits in world football.

30/46 Argentina away

They say: “A modern interpretation of the iconic 1993 design.”

Our verdict: Another 2018 rip-off. But, in fairness, it’s a beauty.

31/46 Japan home and away

They say: Bespoke kits to be released very soon.

Getty Images

32/46 Cameroon home and away

They say: Nothing much. Cameroon are yet to sign a kit deal for the tournament.

33/46 Canada home

They say: “Predominantly red with white swoosh.”

Our verdict: Red.

34/46 Canada away

They say: “White with black logos and red numbers.”

Our verdict: White.

35/46 New Zealand home

They say: “White with black trim and fern.”

Our verdict: What’s another word for white?

AFP/Getty Images

36/46 New Zealand away

They say: “A reversion of the colour scheme in black with white detailing.”

Our verdict: Much better. Bonus points for the ferns on the sleeves.

Getty Images

37/46 Netherlands home

They say: “Predominantly orange featuring ‘Orange Quartz’ Swooshes.”

Our verdict: We’re big fans of the swooshes.

38/46 Netherlands away

They say: “Bright turquoise with gradient graphic print.”

Our verdict: Looks too much like a big packet of toothpaste.

Getty Images

39/46 United States home

They say: “White with bold red and blue cuffs.”

Our verdict: It’s a shame the reigning champs don’t have something slightly jazzier – although the stars on the shorts are a lovely touch.

40/46 United States away

They say: “Speed red with bright blue brandings.”

Our verdict: Edgy af.

41/46 Thailand home

They say: “A Warrix design: blue with thin zigzag stripes on the sleeves.”

Our verdict: Gold accents on kits ALWAYS look good.

Getty Images

42/46 Thailand away

They say: “Crimson red with black collar detailing.”

Our verdict: Exactly the same as the home kit, but in a different colour! We see you, Warrix.

Getty Images

43/46 Chile home

They say: A clean design with zigzag knit pattern on the sleeves.”

Our verdict: Great colours, boring design.

Getty Images

44/46 Chile away

They say: “A bold graphic print that combines tapered red and blue stripes.”

Our verdict: Ooosh. Like watching the United States play, but with a migraine.

Getty Images

45/46 Sweden home

They say: “Featuring a pattern of horizontal lines that creates an optical effect.”

Our verdict: I asked our resident Swedish sports journalist, Lawrence Ostlere, for a one word review of this kit. His verdict? “Quite cool.” That’s two words, but oh well.

46/46 Sweden away

They say: “Blue with yellow detailing.”

Our verdict: “Yup, fine.”

Getty Images

“Too much dependence on Messi? We have to work for that not to happen, for every player not to be always drawn to Leo, he will help us win matches, that’s for sure.”

The friendly against Venezuela marked Messi’s first match for Argentina since Russia, but he could not help as the Albiceleste slumped to a disappointing defeat.

Messi will not play against Morocco because of a groin injury.

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