Many players, including Messi, are not yet 100% fit: Argentina coach

Lionel Messi reacts during warmups ahead of the international friendly match between Argentina and Honduras at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, Saturday. Reuters-Yonhap

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he did not want to "raise the alarm" shortly before their World Cup opener, but admitted "many players are not yet 100 percent fit" for the defending champions.

Superstar Lionel Messi watched Saturday's 2-0 friendly win over Honduras in College Station, Texas from the bench.

The captain of the Albiceleste, who will soon be 39, had recently been struggling with a thigh muscle issue.

"Leo is making good progress, he has already trained partly with the team and that is very good," Scaloni had said before the match against Honduras.

It remains to be seen whether Messi will feature in the final warm-up in midweek against Iceland.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was also not yet involved, along with several other members of the 2022 World Cup-winning squad.

He broke a finger before Aston Villa's Europa League final win over Freiburg last month.

However, Argentinian media assume he will also be fit for their World Cup opener on June 16 against Algeria.

Argentina will also face Austria and Jordan in the group stage.