“It is difficult for a team not to depend on Messi because he is a unique player,” said coach Scaloni at a press conference before the day he and the entire Argentine national team flew to the city of Barranquilla to prepare for the match against the Colombian national team in the eighth round of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in South America.

“We hope that Messi will play again soon. When the time comes to announce the squad for the next match (early October), we will speak to him. We will wait until that date, in about two weeks. Then we will see if Messi is eligible to participate.

“With the current Argentina team we have an idea for each match and everyone can participate. Everyone competes with the same idea. That helps a lot. When Messi is not there, we continue doing the same thing without needing his delicate and decisive touches,” emphasized coach Scaloni.

Messi is likely to play again for the first time this weekend since the 2024 Copa America final (mid-July), when Inter Miami Club prepares to face Philadelphia Union at 6:30 a.m. on September 15 at Chase Family Field in MLS.

The 37-year-old has recently entered the final stages of recovery from a ligament injury in his right ankle. He has returned to training with his teammates, and has been working on strengthening his physical strength in recent days to prepare for a return to competition.

In September, Inter Miami, after the match against Philadelphia Union, will face Atlanta United on September 19 and New York City FC (September 22), both away from home, and Charlotte FC (September 29) at home. These are the matches for Messi to play again and regain physical strength and endurance, before entering an important period in October.

If he returns to play as currently planned, Messi will definitely return to the Argentine national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America in October, including against Venezuela (October 11) and Bolivia (October 16). Afterwards, this famous player will turn all his attention to the Inter Miami Club that will contest the MLS Cup championship (from October 23 to December 7), when he will most likely play from the first round.

Meanwhile, in March 2026, Messi and the new Argentina national team are expected to compete in the Finalissima (Intercontinental Super Cup) final against the Spanish national team, competing for the championship between the defending champions of the Copa América (South America) and the EURO (Europe).

Between now and the end of 2024 and throughout 2025, the competition calendars for teams and clubs are packed. Including the qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cup in Europe, which will be played from March 2025, as well as South America and other regions. A new version of the FIFA Club World Cup with 32 clubs also competing from June 15 to July 13, 2025…