BUENOS AIRES, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Argentina captain Lionel Messi could start on the bench in his team's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chile, Albiceleste head coach Lionel Scaloni said on Wednesday.
Thursday's clash in Santiago will have little consequence for Scaloni's men, who have already secured a spot in football's showpiece tournament next year.
Chile, meanwhile, is last in the 10-team South American group and must win to have an outside chance of qualifying.
"We haven't decided yet whether he'll play from the start or not," Scaloni said of 37-year-oldMessi, who has been in impressive form for his club Inter Miami.
"It would be good to know how he's feeling physically. It's clear that today we're in a position to try other things. In principle, he's available to play, and we'll decide later."
Scaloni will already be without several key players for the duel at Estadio Nacional, including injured Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and suspended duo Enzo Fernandez and Nico Gonzalez.
Also missing will be Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, who will be rested after the Italian club's 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday.
"We're going to have a lot of players out," Scaloni said. "If some of the guys we call up are fit and ready to play, they'll get their chance."
"I don't have the starting eleven confirmed yet, but we will give some playing time to players who haven't played much and who we believe are ready to play."
"Although the result is always important, we don't think it's crucial today. We'll probably try to help these players settle in and give them the chance to get some playing time with the team."
Despite sitting top of the South American group with 31 points, eight clear of second-placed Ecuador with four qualifiers remaining, Scaloni said he was focused on obtaining "positive results" against Chile and also Colombia in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
"We want to play, it's good for us to see other players, even those who are playing well. A match is never inopportune," he said.
"It's not that we national teams play so much that we would say we don't want to play this match. On the contrary. We think it's a nice match to play, with its difficulties. We are in a good position." ■
