Good news is coming out of the Argentina camp as Lionel Messi is said to be doing well and could feature in upcoming World Cup warmup matches. For football fans everywhere, that is about as welcome an update as you can get.
Now look, it is no secret that when Messi is not on a football pitch, the whole sport feels a little bit smaller. The man is the greatest to ever do it — yes, United fan saying that, try not to faint — and the idea of a World Cup without him firing on all cylinders is not something anyone really wants to think about. So the fact that reports are suggesting he is in good shape and could line up in some warmup fixtures is genuinely encouraging.
These pre-tournament games might not set the pulse racing on their own, but their importance for a player like Messi should not be underestimated. At 37, he is not the kind of player who can just rock up after a layoff and immediately be at his sharpest. He needs minutes, rhythm and the feel of competitive football under his boots. Getting him some game time before the tournament proper kicks off could make a real difference to how Argentina perform when it actually matters.
Argentina are, of course, the reigning world champions, and they remain one of the favourites to go deep in the competition again. But everyone knows they are a considerably better side when Messi is fit, involved and pulling the strings. Without him they are still decent. With him they are genuinely frightening.
The Inter Miami forward has had his injury concerns in recent times, so nobody is getting carried away just yet, and rightly so. The coaching staff will be managing him carefully, which is exactly what they should be doing. There is absolutely no point rushing him into anything before the squad is confident he is ready.
For now though, the news is positive and that is all anyone can ask for at this stage. A fit Messi at a World Cup is good for football, full stop.
Let me know your thoughts.