Is Lionel Messi Going to Play for Argentina vs. Puerto Rico?

The primary concern for Argentina fans is whether Lionel Messi will participate in the upcoming friendly against Puerto Rico, following his absence from the recent 1–0 victory over Venezuela. Based on comments from manager Lionel Scaloni, indications suggest that Messi is likely to feature in the match, as he is expected to be in good condition for the game.

Messi has maintained impressive form despite his age, highlighted by his pivotal role in Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph and his current performances for Inter Miami in MLS. He recently scored twice in a 4–0 win for Inter Miami against Atlanta United, demonstrating his fitness and sharpness. His absence from the Venezuela friendly was not due to injury but rather his involvement in the MLS clash, which raised initial doubts about his availability for the Puerto Rico fixture.

Scaloni addressed the situation by noting that he observed Messi's performance in the MLS match and plans to assess his condition in the final training session before deciding on his inclusion. The manager emphasized that if Messi is fit, he will play, underscoring the player's importance to the team as a central figure in Argentina's lineup, even though the squad has proven capable of winning without him.

The rescheduling of the friendly from October 13 in Chicago to October 14 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has increased the likelihood of Messi's participation. However, Scaloni may use this opportunity to experiment with the squad against lower-tier opposition, making it improbable that Messi will play the full 90 minutes, as the focus remains on managing his involvement and testing team dynamics.