The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to make a significant impact on his national team.
After finishing his MLS season with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi is set to turn his attention to Argentina, who face Paraguay and Peru during the November break. Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's last international window. Now that he's fully focused on his country, he's looking forward to another stellar performance at home.
With 22 points from 10 matches, Argentina currently leads the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifying standings. During this last international break of 2024, they will resume their qualifications.
Argentina hopes to secure their place in the final competition (World Cup 2026) by facing Paraguay and Peru in the November games. Take on teams struggling to win matches.
Paraguay is sixth in the ranking while Peru is in ninth place. Lionel Scaloni's team should be able to get the job done in both games.
Will Lionel Messi play during the November international break?
Inter Miami's campaign ended earlier than expected after they were unexpectedly eliminated from the playoffs of the Eastern Conference (for the MLS Cup), leaving them without a tournament in 2024. But Lionel Messi and the team Argentine national team still have two important games to play this season.
The 37-year-old legend has traveled to South America and has already trained with Lionel Scaloni's team. Therefore, it is more likely that he will play for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which includes two crucial matches. Argentina will host Peru at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, November 19, after visiting Paraguay at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asunción on Thursday, November 14.
Lionel Messi and his team could move even closer to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if they perform well during the international break. Although this is good news for Argentina, Messi has yet to declare whether he will participate in the 2026 tournament as he will be 39 at the time.
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