Messi only played 1 match in Argentina, coach Scaloni made a surprising decision

According to DSPORTS channel, Messi will likely only play 1 match for the Argentina team (against Venezuela at home in Buenos Aires on September 5). He will not participate in the away match against Ecuador because he needs to rest before the match with Inter Miami.

Messi is about to say goodbye

The match against Venezuela at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires at 6:30 a.m. on September 5 will be Messi's last match for the Albiceleste in front of Argentina fans at home.

Messi left behind the shock of defeat in the Leagues Cup final, he is extremely happy to return to the Argentina team

Photo: Reuters

This is also the last World Cup qualifying match for the Argentina team at home, after officially having a ticket to the 2026 World Cup finals. Meanwhile, in the next 2030 World Cup, they also participated and did not compete in the qualifying round, because they had a ticket to the finals as co-hosts with Paraguay and Uruguay to organize the opening matches to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the World Cup. The remaining matches will be held in the 3 main co-host countries: Morocco, Portugal and Spain.

Therefore, the upcoming match between Argentina and Venezuela will be extremely special for Messi. After this match, Albiceleste will play most of their matches away from home, including the remaining official match against Ecuador in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America on September 10. International friendlies and the Finalissima (Intercontinental Super Cup) championship match against Spain (expected in March 2026 if held).

After these matches will be the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada. This will certainly be the biggest and last tournament Messi will play before he retires. At that time, the famous player will be 39 years old. He has also expressed many times that he will be able to participate in the 2026 World Cup if by the time the tournament takes place, he still feels he is capable of contributing at the highest level.

Helping Messi avoid any risk of injury and always maintain the best playing feeling is the current priority of coach Scaloni and the Argentina national team. Besides, it will also help this famous player focus on completing his tasks at Inter Miami Club for the rest of the season, with priority on the MLS schedule (American professional soccer league) and aiming for the MLS Cup championship at the end of the year.

Coach Scaloni does not believe Messi will make an easy decision to retire after the 2026 World Cup

Photo: Reuters

Messi and Inter Miami have just suffered a shocking defeat in the Leagues Cup final. After more than a day of silence due to disappointment, the famous player expressed his disappointment in a message posted on social media: "We reached the final, but this time it didn't happen (the championship). We will keep a positive attitude and continue to learn to achieve the remaining goals of this season."

This is a season where Messi and Inter Miami are playing on four fronts, reaching the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup and finishing runners-up in the Leagues Cup. All the focus is on the MLS to defend the Supporters' Shield and the long-cherished MLS Cup trophy.

According to coach Scaloni: "Let's enjoy Messi while he's still here. What will come will come. In my opinion, a player of Messi's caliber will not easily decide to retire. That is certainly not easy, just like it is not easy for me to stop (say goodbye to the Argentina team after the 2026 World Cup). Messi has the right to decide when to stop, and he will receive the support of all of us."

Coach Scaloni also said that he will have talks with Messi before making further decisions after the match with Venezuela, which is almost the last match the famous player will say goodbye to Argentine fans at home.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-chi-thi-dau-1-tran-tai-argentina-hlv-scaloni-co-quyet-dinh-bat-ngo-185250903091430331.htm