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Messi's Availability in Limbo as Argentina Faces Venezuela
11 Oct
Summary
- Argentina coach Scaloni to decide if Messi will start, substitute, or sit out
- Messi has played 7 matches in 21 days with Inter Miami since Sept. 13
- Argentina aims to try out new players in the friendly match
As of October 11, 2025, the status of Lionel Messi's participation in Argentina's friendly match against Venezuela in Miami on October 10 remains uncertain. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni stated that a decision would be made after the team's practice session on October 9.
Scaloni expressed his desire to try out new players in the friendly match, while still respecting the opponent. He emphasized that the team would not take any risks with players who have minor problems, including Messi. Messi has been actively playing for his MLS club Inter Miami, featuring in 7 matches over the past 21 days since September 13.
The match, which will be available on beIN SPORTS, is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina and Venezuela) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Messi's status will be confirmed when Argentina announces its starting lineup, roughly an hour before the match. According to Argentine media outlet TYCSports, Messi may not play against Venezuela.
Inter Miami, Messi's MLS club, will host Atlanta United in a regular-season match with playoff seeding implications on October 11. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano stated that they had not discussed Messi's potential availability for the match, as he has been with the national team.
