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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni rested his key players, including star player Lionel Messi, in training at the Kansas City Complex on Sunday as part of a fitness plan ahead of the 2026 World Cup semi-final against England.
According to the website of Argentine TV channel TYC, training against Switzerland was limited to substitutes and those from the bench, while the starters were content to watch from the stands after playing more than 120 minutes in a grueling quarter-final match.
Scaloni said at the press conference after the qualifying round. “We will recover, which I think is what we need and the most important thing,” stressing that the focus at the moment is on the players regaining their energy and strength in preparation for the finals.
The only player who was transferred under the supervision of the medical staff was Nicolas Gonzalez, who is still suffering from a bruised left ankle. He began working out, stretching his injured leg for a few minutes before returning to light exercise.
Medical sources in the Argentine camp confirmed that Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes, who had to leave in extra time against Switzerland due to physical problems, were not injured and that their departures were due to fatigue and some minor bruises.
In defense, Romero was replaced by Nicolas Otamendi, and Paredes left the field to be replaced by Jose Lopez, who could barely walk on one leg, but medical examinations confirmed that there were no serious injuries.
According to the initial plan, the team will remain in Kansas City until Monday morning, where they will practice in the morning before traveling to Atlanta, the site of the upcoming showdown against the Three Lions.
Argentina will hold their first training session in Atlanta on Tuesday, followed by Scaloni’s usual press conference at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a day before the crucial match that decides one of the main finalists.
