Argentine Coach Confirms Messi and 2 Star Players Absent Against Indonesia

Dream - Argentine National Team coach, Lionel Scaloni, confirmed the absence of Lionel Messi against the Indonesian National Team on June 19, 2023. In addition to Messi, the Argentine national team is reportedly not going to be strengthened by Angel Di Maria and Nicola Otamendi.

According to Tyc Sports, Scaloni said the decision not to bring Lionel Messi was his decision. He admitted that Messi did not ask about it first.

"We believe this is the right decision, this is my decision, they did not ask me. It's fair if they want to rest and go sightseeing with their families," said Scaloni.

According to him, the tour conducted by Argentina is quite tiring. He believes that all players also want to go home after competing with their clubs.

"Logically, all players want to go home, but no other player has told me that. So that means they are fine here, that's good," said Scaloni.

"Currently, no player can relax. Because that is the DNA of football players. Mistakes can happen, maybe from one player but not the concept. That's not what we are looking for," he added.

After the match in Beijing, Messi will depart to Barcelona first. It is unknown what Messi will do in Barcelona.

After that, Messi will depart to Buenos Aires to start his vacation after a long season. After that, he will prepare to play for Inter Miami.

Meanwhile, other Argentine players will still depart. Even the players will resume training after the match with the aim of resting immediately upon arrival in Jakarta.

Scaloni confirmed that Argentina will rotate players when facing the Indonesian National Team. In addition to giving rest time, he also wants to play other players.

"We plan to replace all players in the second leg of the tour. We want to play all the players we brought because it is fair and we also have to continue looking for new players," said Scaloni.

Lionel Messi Absent in the Match between Indonesian National Team vs Argentina, Erick Thohir: 'Not Messi All Star'

Dream - Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir reminded that the friendly match that the Indonesian National Team will play in June is against the Argentine National Team, not the "Messi All Star".

He made the statement in response to the reactions of some spectators of the Indonesia vs Argentina match who wanted to return their tickets because the megastar Lionel Messi was reportedly not going to participate in the match against the Indonesian National Team.

"I have said from the beginning, this is a match between the Indonesian National Team and the Argentine National Team, if the Indonesian National Team is only with Lionel Messi, it means it's a match between the National Team (of Indonesia) and Messi All Star, it's different," explained Erick, as quoted from liputan6.com, Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

He reiterated that the match against the Argentine National Team is part of the FIFA match day so that Indonesia can get as many points as possible. By holding this match, it is hoped that Indonesia's ranking in FIFA will eventually improve.

"This is a FIFA match day, FIFA match day means we are looking for points, with (the National Team) Palestine tomorrow night we are looking for points," he said.

According to Erick, the match against the Argentine National Team will train the mental strength of Indonesian players to be ready to compete against big teams.

"So if possible, this FIFA match day should be like this, where I have promised that there will be 8 FIFA matchdays, 7 to seek ranking, 1 to seek mental improvement and also the perception of world football. That Indonesian football is waking up," explained Erick.

Erick realizes that many people are enthusiastic about Messi's arrival in Indonesia. He also hopes that Messi can come to Indonesia and play against the Indonesian National Team.

"I pray that Messi will fly, I pray that Messi will land, I pray that Messi will play, that's what I can do. So this is not a match between Indonesia and Messi All Star," he said.