MIAMI (BN24) — Argentina announced Friday that Lionel Messi will not play in the national team’s friendly match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, as the World Cup champions continue their preparations for 2026.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had suggested on Thursday that he might experiment with the lineup, leaving open the possibility that Messi could feature. “Yes, we’ve spoken with [Messi], as we’ve spoken with everyone. We haven’t decided on the team yet. We’ll decide until late in the last training session,” Scaloni said. “It’s true that these are games to try out and to see, as I said the other day, and that’s what we’re going to do. But we’ll talk with him and decide today. It’s obvious I’d like to try out different options because that’s what these games are for, while always respecting the opponent.”
When the match began, Messi was pictured watching from the stands alongside his family, confirming that he would not take the field. Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul was in Argentina’s squad but did not start.
Scaloni has emphasized that Argentina’s upcoming friendlies are key to preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Argentina will face Puerto Rico on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale at Chase Stadium, a match originally scheduled for Chicago but relocated partly due to low ticket sales.
Messi’s club team, Inter Miami, has a game scheduled for Saturday at Chase Stadium against Atlanta United FC. Head coach Javier Mascherano said he would welcome Messi’s presence for the final home game of the regular season but admitted there had been no discussions about his availability.
“I’d love it. Imagine being able to have Leo Messi, but the reality is he hasn’t been with us,” Mascherano said. “Messi can play at any time, obviously. The issue afterward is that I can’t talk to you about something that’s counterfactual because he’s not with us, and the truth is, I haven’t spoken to Leo. Now we’ll see tonight what happens.”
Inter Miami has already qualified for the 2025 MLS playoffs but continues to chase a higher finish in the Eastern Conference to secure home-field advantage in the postseason.
Argentina also announced that midfielder Franco Mastantuono would miss the remainder of the camp due to a left thigh injury, further shaping the lineup as Scaloni looks to test new combinations without Messi leading the squad.
