Lionel Messi playing 'freely' after World Cup injury scare to set new Argentina record in friendly against Iceland

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Lionel Messi said his Argentina team will "give it our all" in their World Cup title defence as the 38-year-old banished any injury concerns with his return in a friendly against Iceland.

'We are in good shape' - Argentina confident after Messi nets on return

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Per Transfermarkt, Messi became Argentina's oldest-ever goalscorer as he notched his side's second goal in their 3-0 victory from the penalty spot.

At 38 years, 11 months and 17 days, Messi overtook Angel Labruna, who held the record for nearly 60 years when he scored aged 38 years, nine months and nine days.

Uncertainty had surrounded Messi's participation for the start of the World Cup - which begins against Algeria on June 17 - after he exited Inter Miami's final MLS game before the tournament with an apparent injury, clutching the back of his leg.

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The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was an unused substitute in Argentina's first pre-World Cup friendly against Honduras, but returned with a 20-minute cameo against Iceland in Alabama, calmly dispatching a 72nd-minute penalty beyond the outstretched glove of Elias Olafsson.

Speaking to TYC Sports, Messi said he "felt great" on his return.

"Enjoying it from the start," he said. "I was eager to play for a while since I arrived with this discomfort.

"Happy, enjoying every moment, and excited as always. I felt great, I was keen to get started and shake off the fears you have when you have this discomfort, to be able to play freely.

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"We have a week to get everyone fit and ready for the opening match."

At Qatar 2022, Messi led Argentina to their first World Cup triumph since 1986, adding the trophy which had eluded his illustrious CV.

They are considered among the favourites to lift the trophy again, still with Lionel Scaloni in charge.

The Albiceleste also boast some exciting World Cup debutants, including Nico Paz, and Valentin Barco - who is expected to join Chelsea this summer.

And Messi was brimming with praise for his side, who come into the tournament amid a run of seven consecutive victories.

"As always, whenever a competition starts, especially a World Cup, we're very excited," Messi said.

"I said at the time that this group wouldn't let us down, and they've shown that this year, competing against any opponent or in any competition, and continuing to demonstrate that they have the same desire and enthusiasm to compete.

"It's a very winning group that always wants more. We'll take it step by step, as always, but with a lot of desire, enthusiasm, and conviction in what we're capable of."

He added: "This group deserves everything that's happening to them. We're going to try, just like we always have, so people can be sure we'll give it our all, just like we all have and have been doing all this time.

"Just like we've always done when I've been with the national team. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, but we've been lucky in recent years to get positive results.

"It's difficult, and it gets harder every time, but we've gotten used to it, and we've gotten people used to it, and we're going to try to repeat that.

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"Whether it happens or not, that's football. Don't doubt that it's going to be tough for our rivals to beat us because we're a very competitive team."

This summer's World Cup marks Messi's sixth in the Argentina team, having made his tournament debut in the 2006 iteration against Serbia and Montenegro, aged 18.

Should he appear in his side's group-stage opener against Algeria, Messi will earn his 200th cap for Argentina.

He is already his nation's all-time leading appearance maker, more than 50 ahead of second-placed Javier Mascherano, and his 117 goals makes him their all-time top goalscorer, with a significant margin over Gabriel Batistuta's 55.

Alongside Algeria, Argentina will also face Austria and Jordan in Group J.

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