According to AS (Spain): “This is an anti-Messi rule, following the rule against striker Vinicius that the Brazilian team applied. This caused a lot of controversy, but was successful when the Paraguay team beat Selecao with a score of 1-0 on September 11, also in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America. Therefore, they continue to apply this rule to Messi and the Argentina team to take advantage of the home field advantage from the cheers of the fans, determined to win a ticket to the final round.”
The decision to announce the “anti-Messi” rule was made by an APF official, Mr. Fernando Villasboa, with a definitive statement: “Fans wearing Argentina, Barcelona or Inter Miami jerseys with the name Messi will not be allowed to enter the stadium.”
Fernando Villasboa further explained: “We also apply to cases where fans wear the jerseys of the Argentine national team, Argentine clubs or clubs with the names of players from other countries. We want to cover the Defensores del Chaco stadium with the colors of the Paraguayan team, so that the players can feel the support from the stands, because we are all part of this match, each in our own way.”
Also according to Mr. Fernando Villasboa: “The application of the “anti-Messi” rule is also to prevent security incidents that may occur inside and outside the Defensores del Chaco stadium. This was effectively applied by us in the case of Brazilian player Vinicius, in the most recent home match, which helped everything go smoothly. And our team also had an impressive victory thanks to the support of the fans.”
Paraguay is currently ranked 6th in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America with 13 points after 10 matches, the last position with an official ticket to the final round. They are unbeaten in their last 4 matches with 2 wins and 2 draws, including a 0-0 draw with Uruguay and a 1-0 win over Brazil in the September match.
In the next two matches, Paraguay will face Argentina at home at 6:30 a.m. on November 15, followed by an away match against Bolivia at 3 a.m. on November 20. If they continue to achieve positive results in the remaining two matches in 2024, Paraguay will firmly secure a safe position to get a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina will be without three key players before the match against Paraguay, including striker Nicolas Gonzalez, defender German Pezzella and center back Lisandro Martinez, due to injuries. Coach Scaloni will therefore have to change the squad. It is expected that players Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico and Facundo Medina will be the replacements.
Argentina are currently leading the South American qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup with 22 points after 10 matches. Coach Scaloni is determined to end 2024 with two more wins to maintain his current No. 1 position, including a match against Paraguay and then a match against Peru at 7am on November 20.
After the disappointment of Inter Miami being eliminated from the MLS Cup, Messi has returned to the national team and is training very well. He will most likely start both upcoming matches. Number 1 goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who is back after a suspension, will also return to his starting position.
