Messi’s focus since Argentina’s July 10 Copa America triumph has been a break followed by settling his club future after his shock exit from Barcelona.
The 34-year-old joined Paris Saint-Germain last month but didnt debut on Sunday’s 2-0 win at Reims where he played less than half an hour off the bench.
That cameo was Messi’s first competitive appearance since the July 10 Copa win over Brazil yet Scaloni believes the six-time Ballon d’Or is fine to play in this week’s qualifiers.
Argentina are scheduled to take on Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia as they seek to firm up their spot in the CONMEBOL top two in the race for Qatar 2022.
“We evaluate match by match and when I’ve spoken to Messi he says he’s fine,” Scaloni said.
“Obviously he doesnt have the same minutes in him as he did ahead of the Copa America but everyone knows what I think of him and he will play all three games if he is fit.”
Scaloni was bullish about Argentina, who currently sit second in the CONMEBOL standings behind Brazil with 12 points from six games.
“Not much will change from the last game, the Copa Amrica final against Brazil,” he said. “We will continue in that line.
“I see the group is well, confident and with great enthusiasm.”
Scaloni also hit back at the potential for Premier League quartet Emiliano Martinez, Emiliano Buendia, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristiano Romero to depart the squad after only two games.
Aston Villa and Tottenham released the players but they wanted them back after two games, given the issues with travelling to red-listed countries.
“We gave the list for the three games and the players are there to play all three, there is no doubt about that,” Scaloni said.