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Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli has indicated Lionel Messi will feature against Spain in Tuesday's international friendly in Madrid. Messi was kept out of Argentina's 2-0 win over Italy on Friday and did not train on Saturday due to a sore right adductor muscle. However, the Barcelona star has recovered and has participated in team workouts on Sunday and Monday in Real Madrid's training grounds in Valdebebas. "Messi trained with the group normally so he is available to play," Sampaoli said in Monday's news conference. "If there was a risk, Leo would have said so. "Before the game against Italy Leo said he could not play. But he has trained the last two days. "We will define the starting XI later tonight." Sampaoli is eager to have Messi, whom he considers the best player in the world, on the pitch with his teammates as they strive to find a way to get the most out of the Barcelona forward and everyone else in time for the World Cup. "It would be very good if we could circulate around a player that boosts the rest of the group," Sampaoli said. "Our priority is to build an identity, to function like a team in order to be competitive at the World Cup. "We have to find harmony around this player, to make it favorable for him. Leo is very open to interact on what he feels on the pitch. "My dialogue with him is constant. I see full commitment from him with the national team." Sampaoli says he is an a situation that he has never encountered before because of Messi's brilliance. "It's impossible to teach Messi anything," he said. "Leo is unreachable. You cannot teach him, you have to understand him, you have to build a team around him. I think we have to learn how to accompany this type of player that only exists once in a blue moon." Spain present Argentina with a real test just a few months away from the tournament in Russia. La Roja crashed out of the 2014 World Cup in the group phase and lost in the knockout round of Euro 2016, yet they are considered one of the favourites. Spain did win the World Cup in 2010 and European Championships before and after, however. "What we are looking for, Spain have already consolidated," Sampaoli said. "Spain know very clearly how to play. They are the best if not among the best in the world. "We have to fight to get possession, which is Spain's biggest weapon. We will need precision and courage. Spain have found high-level players and an identity that cannot be negotiated. We have to re-establish Argentine football. We have to try to find an identity. "Spain is a very big rival but my players have trained very well in recent days to be strong and that gives me confidence." Manchester United pair Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo were on the bench against Italy but are expected to start. The Albiceleste are without Sergio Aguero, with the Manchester City striker released from his national team as he continues to recovery from a knee injury.
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