Argentina’s Lionel Messi might not be ready for his team first match in the World Cup against Ivory Coast. He is yet to feel fit to play an entire game, but he might be able to play for 20-30 minutes.

“Lionel was the last player to arrive and he still hasn’t played much football. But there’s still time,” explained Pekerman in his typically laid-back style. However, no-one is more acutely aware than the Argentina coach of the need to have his prized asset in peak physical shape before he is exposed to the rigours of world football’s biggest competition.

“We cannot say whether Messi will be in the starting eleven against Côte d’Ivoire. When he was fit, he played some top-class stuff. We’re expecting great things from him,” added the Albiceleste coach.

This brings another problem to Pekerman: who will he use along Hernan Crespo in his attacking line? The choice, not too many, are Saviola and Tevez, both having a good year at the respectivel club teams, Sevilla and Corinthians.

In the match played at the national team headquarters in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, the former Argentina youth coach started the game with Javier Saviola, whose goals helped fire Sevilla to this year’s UEFA Cup. El Conejito (The Little Rabbit), top scorer at the FIFA World Youth Championship Argentina 2001, could well join Chelsea striker Crespo in the Albiceleste attack against their African Group C rivals. The pair were unstoppable in their last game together, Argentina running roughshod over world champions Brazil on their way to a 3-1 South American qualifying win.

Another man vying for a place alongside Crespo is Carlos Tevez, captain and undisputed superstar of big-spending Brazilians Corinthians. Carlitos also has the firm backing of the Argentine faithful thanks to his unpredictability and lethal finishing. Tevez took the Olympic Football Tournament at Athens 2004 by storm, earning the best player and top scorer as he fired the Albiceleste to the gold medal.

Source: WCoffsite