Argentina got themselves a nice confidence-boosting 2-0 win over Honduras on Saturday, which on the surface looks like business as usual for one of the tournament favourites heading into the FIFA World Cup. But nobody was really talking about the scoreline, were they? Everyone wanted to know why on earth Lionel Messi was sitting on the bench with his tracksuit on.
Now before anyone panics, this was almost certainly a planned rest. With the World Cup kicking off on June 11, manager Sergio Batista — or whoever is making the calls in the Argentina camp — is clearly being careful with his best player. You do not want Messi picking up a knock in a friendly against Honduras when the biggest tournament in football is right around the corner. That much makes perfect sense.
Still, it is always a strange sight watching Argentina without Messi in the starting eleven. The team functions, clearly, because they still put two goals past Honduras without him. But there is a difference between a car running and a car running with a proper engine in it. Argentina without Messi is technically still a very good side. Argentina with Messi is a completely different proposition.
Honduras, to be fair, were never really going to trouble this Argentina squad even at full strength. This was always going to be a workout more than a battle, and Argentina used it as exactly that. Getting minutes into legs, keeping things ticking over, staying sharp without burning anyone out. Sensible management ahead of a long tournament.
The real test for Argentina will come when the group stage begins and the pressure cranks up. That is when you want Messi fresh, focused, and ready to do the things only he can do. A rested Messi is a dangerous Messi, and right now that should have every other nation quietly worried.
One more friendly to go before the real thing starts. Argentina look ready. Honduras probably want to forget this one quickly.
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