Lionel Messi was among the scorers as Argentina wrapped up their World Cup preparations with a 5-0 friendly victory over the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. On a whole different note, Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo is suffering a stomach bug and will be left out of the team’s World Cup warm-up friendly against Nigeria on ThursdayMessi lashed home his 91st international goal in the first half at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi to help Argentina extend their unbeaten streak to 36 games.The South American giants can equal Italy’s world record unbeaten run of 37 games if they avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener in Doha on Tuesday.Messi’s goal came in an opening 45 minutes that saw Angel di Maria score twice with Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez also netting.Messi made it 4-0 for Argentina 🇦🇷 #UAEARG pic.twitter.com/1KjwpYhNCa— FIFA World Cup 2022 (@2022_QatarWC) November 16, 2022 Substitute Joaquin Correa added a fifth after the break, completing a commanding result for the Qatar-bound visitors, in front of a 36,000 capacity crowd.Argentina will now fly to Doha where they kick off their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on November 22 at Lusail Stadium.Meanwhile, the Navigators head coach Fernando Santos, said that Cristiano Ronaldo will not train on Wednesday because of the illness, which has started amid the controversy caused by his explosive interview to Piers Morgan’s show on TalkTV this week. During the infamous talk CR7 criticised Manchester United and said he had no respect for the coach Erik ten Hag, who has not relied on him much this season.”He is suffering from gastroenteritis and will not train today for this reason,” Santos told a press conference in Lisbon.”He won’t be ready (to face Nigeria), he’s resting, as you know, gastritis takes a lot out of players.”After six World Cups – the Super Eagles are grounded and absentThe coach said Ronaldo’s interview was not sanctioned by Portugal but did not need to be either, and that it had nothing to do with the national team.Once recovered, Ronaldo (37), a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is set to feature in his fifth and potentially final World Cup, with Portugal opening their campaign against Ghana on November 24, before games against Uruguay and South Korea.The talismanic striker and his country have never won the competition but did triumph at Euro 2016 and won the Nations League in 2019.##NAJAVA_MECA_6816122##© Agence France-Presse
