Overview
- Spanish reports Thursday put Lionel Scaloni on Real Madrid’s post‑World Cup shortlist, and Argentine outlets say AFA chief Claudio Tapia has opened talks to extend his contract.
- Coaching staff have filed a 55‑player preliminary list, with reporting pointing to about 22 near‑certain picks and four open spots where versatile options such as Nicolás González, Giuliano Simeone and Valentín Barco hold an edge.
- Cristian “Cuti” Romero has a grade‑1 medial collateral ligament injury in his right knee and will miss the rest of Tottenham’s season, with staff expecting him to reach the World Cup with tight timing.
- Assistant Roberto Ayala said Tuesday that Scaloni told selected players to “think a little” about the national team to manage physical load, and he described steady phone and Zoom check‑ins to track fitness.
- Lionel Messi has not confirmed his place and says he will decide day to day based on how he feels after building fitness, noting a strong preseason could be decisive.