Moreover, with Messi set to play for Inter Miami after this week, Argentina coach Scaloni has yet to announce the official list of players participating in the November match in the World Cup 11 qualifiers in South America.
In the upcoming and final match schedule in 2024, the Argentina team will play 2 matches against Paraguay (away) and Peru (home), respectively at 6:30 a.m. on November 15.11 and at 7:20 a.m. on November 11.
It is a very difficult time for Messi to return to the team to participate in these two matches, because at the same time, Inter Miami Club also had key matches in the MLS Cup play-offs – the American professional football tournament for the most important championship of the season.
Messi can still play for club and team, but due to his age and the physical impact of constant movement, he may have to choose Inter Miami as his priority during this period.
In addition, the position of the Argentina team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America is extremely secure, as they ranked first in the group with 22 points after 10 matches, far ahead of the 7th team, Bolivia (playoff position excluding Intercontinental) up to 10 points and the 8th-ranked team Venezuela up to 11 points. The Albiceleste firmly holds one of the six official tickets from the South American region to attend the World Cup 1.
Of the two opponents Argentina is set to face, only Paraguay (2nd) is tough and also plays away, while Peru is bottom of the table. In the first leg, Argentina won 6-1 at home against Paraguay (Otamendi scored) and won 0-2 away against Peru, both thanks to a double from Messi.
According to journalist Gaston Edul of the TyC Sports channel: “In the next match, the Argentine team will have three returnees in attack: forwards Paulo Dybala, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcos Acuna. They are only waiting for the recovery of Nico Gonzalez and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.
Therefore, it is possible that coach Scaloni will have private discussions with Messi before deciding whether or not to recall him to the team in November. This also allows Messi to focus entirely on his club’s goal of competing for the MLS Cup championship.
If Messi and Inter Miami defeat Atlanta United in the MLS Cup East play-off semifinals, they will play a knockout match on either November 1 or 26, depending on the tournament schedule. That regional final is scheduled to take place on December 27, followed by the full-tournament MLS Cup final featuring the West Group champion team scheduled for December 3, 12 (Vietnam time).
