Lionel Messi has dismissed “rumours” about his fitness and said he is ready to lead Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar.
There have been suggestions that Messi has been missing parts of training sessions because of an ankle injury but the Paris Saint-Germain forward said he will play against Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday.
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“I’m feeling well,” Messi told a news conference on Monday. “I am very well physically and I feel in good condition. I think I come here in really good form, both personally and physically.
“There are no issues whatsoever. I heard there were rumours of having to miss part of training or be away from the team because of a blow but it’s nothing out of the ordinary.”
Messi has arrived in Qatar to take part in his fifth World Cup and, having turned 35 in June, reiterated it will be the last time he features at the tournament.
