Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi’s selection is different from other players despite the talisman playing fewer minutes for his club Inter Miami CF. Scaloni has mostly maintained that Argentine players should regularly feature for their respective clubs to be considered for the national team.

As Messi is always in demand, the linchpin spends the most time on the pitch for both country and club. Messi recently suffered an ankle injury, which also kept him on the sidelines.

Four days ago, La Albiceleste suffered a 2-1 loss against Paraguay at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco. 

“We need them to play,” Scaloni said of players in his squad. “These six games [in qualification] were very close to each other after the Copa América. We opted to continue with the base that gave us the joy of the cup and there was not much time to bring in other players, but from now on we need everyone to play and from there we can decide on the football level of each one. As we have always done except on this occasion.

“In Leo’s case, it’s a quite different case. He always plays, even when he has to rest, but we don’t think beyond that. It’s important that they have continuity.”

Scaloni, who led Argentina to World Cup glory, said it is difficult for Messi to stay at the top of his fitness as he is always playing consistently at the top level.

“Leo’s year is the year of a player who has played a lot of games, who has been available a lot, who had a Copa América in between,” Scaloni added. “It’s difficult for him to be 100% and not have had problems, I see that as normal. He suffered an injury, but in general, he has always been well with us.”

Argentina will take on Peru in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night.