Messi misses Argentina vs. Venezuela friendly in Miami

Messi Absent from Argentina vs. Venezuela Friendly

Argentina’s national team announced this Friday the absence of Lionel Messi for the friendly against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Argentina’s technical director, Lionel Scaloni, had hinted at the possibility of experimenting with the lineup in the match against Venezuela, although he never completely ruled out the captain’s participation.

Yes, we have spoken with Messi, as we have spoken with everyone. We still haven’t decided on the team. We will decide late in the last training session. It’s true that these are matches to test and see, as I said the other day, and that’s what we are going to do. But we will talk with him and decide today. It’s obvious that I would like to try different options because that’s what these matches are for, always respecting the opponent, and today we will finalize that decision.

Lionel Scaloni

Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami, was indeed called up for the match, although not as a starter. Scaloni reiterated that these friendlies are part of the preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Argentina will play another friendly on Tuesday against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This match was moved from Chicago due to low ticket sales. Messi’s Inter Miami has a match on Saturday, between Argentina’s two friendlies. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano was enthusiastic about the possibility of seeing Messi play with the club on Saturday against Atlanta United FC in the last home game at Chase Stadium, but said he had not spoken to the player about his participation.

I would love to. Imagine having Leo Messi, but the reality is that he hasn’t been with us, and I will repeat it because we are talking about Leo. But there is Rodrigo [De Paul], there is Telasco [Segovia, who plays for Venezuela].

Javier Mascherano

Although Inter Miami is already qualified for the 2025 MLS playoffs, the team is seeking a better position in the Eastern Conference to secure home-field advantage in the postseason. Argentina also reported that Franco Mastantuono will miss the rest of the training camp due to a left hamstring injury.