Lionel Messi and the Argentine soccer team trained in Moscow on Monday (June 11) to the delight of Russian fans in attendance.
The 2014 runners-up only just qualified for the 2018 finals after coming back from behind to beat Ecuador 3-1 in their final qualifying match, so five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is inevitably seen as the key to the South Americans’ chances of sustaining second successive run to the final.
The pressure on Messi will be greater after other key attackers Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain endured below-par seasons at club level.
Head Coach Jorge Sampaoli benefits from a largely well-rested squad going into the final due to the Argentine FA’s cancellation of their final warm-up match against Israel, but the question remains as to whether the extra time off will help or hinder the team’s prospects.
