Prior to the World Cup final match versus France on Wednesday, December 15, 2022, Argentina captain Lionel Messi was absent from the Albiceleste practice.

According to earlier rumors, the Paris Saint-Germain superstar missed group training because of a minor knock.

However, a training ground report by Ghanaian Sports journalist, Samuel Kusi Appiah, suggests Messi is not injured as he trained at the gym together with Angel Di Maria.

According to Appiah, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni gave his first team a rest while the reserves engaged in intense training.

Despite the rest, the first team players turned up for the session but did not engage in it.

Argentina will hold another training session on Friday, December 16, 2022, in preparation for the final.

Argentina and France have both won the World Cup twice, and the winner of the match on Sunday, December 18 will take their total to three.