Previously, there was news that Messi would not join the Argentina national team to focus on the MLS Cup championship race with Inter Miami. However, with the famous player completely healthy and fit, coach Scaloni still decided to call him to the team.
Messi’s presence is partly because Paulo Dybala is not ready. This star is going through a difficult time at AS Roma (Italy), when he has only scored 2 goals since the beginning of the season and the team is ranked 12th in Serie A.
Coach Scaloni also called up young and new players to the Argentina squad such as Nico Paz, Enzo Barrenechea, Facundo Buonanotte and Valentin Castellanos from Lazio. Striker Alejandro Garnacho returned along with Nico Gonzalez and defender Nehuen Perez.
However, the most notable return is number 1 goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after a suspension. Emiliano Martinez recently won the world’s best goalkeeper award for the second consecutive year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
In addition, center-back Cristian Romero and midfielder Lo Celso were affected by injuries, but recent tests have shown that they are fully recovered in time to play in the upcoming matches. In the upcoming and final match schedule of 2024, the Argentina team has 2 matches against Paraguay (away) and Peru (home), respectively at 6:30 am on November 15 and 7:00 am on November 20.
Argentina is currently leading the South American qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup with 22 points after 10 matches, 10 points ahead of 7th-placed Bolivia (Intercontinental play-off position) and 11 points ahead of 8th-placed Venezuela. Albiceleste has secured one of the six official tickets from the South American region to the 2026 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Messi will play the decisive match with Inter Miami against Atlanta United at 8am on October 11, to compete for a ticket to the Eastern region semi-finals of the MLS Cup (American professional soccer league). After this match, he will return to join the Argentina national team.
If Messi and Inter Miami advance, the Eastern Conference semifinals of the MLS Cup playoffs against Orlando City SC or Charlotte FC are scheduled for November 26 or 27. Therefore, the famous player will still be able to play for his club.
