Lionel Messi a 'different case' for Argentina as Lionel Scaloni insists talismanic captain 'always plays' regardless of MLS minutes with Inter Miami

When it comes to international football, the general rule is that you need to be playing and performing at club level in order to earn selection. Scaloni has made those at his disposal aware that they will only be called upon if seeing regular game time at their respective domestic employers.

Those rules are, however, relaxed for eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi – with the all-time great always being picked when fit. Scaloni has told reporters of piecing together his squad during 2026 World Cup qualification: “We need them to play. These six games were very close to each other after the Copa America. We opted to continue with the base that gave us the joy of the cup and there was not much time to bring in other players, but from now on we need everyone to play and from there we can decide on the football level of each one. As we have always done except on this occasion.

“In Leo's case, it's a quite different case. He always plays, even when he has to rest, but we don't think beyond that. It's important that they have continuity.”

Messi made 22 appearances for Inter Miami in the 2024 campaign, registering 21 goals and 11 assists to put himself in MVP contention. He did, however, miss a number of games through injury. Scaloni added on his talismanic skipper: “Leo's year is the year of a player who has played a lot of games, who has been available a lot, who had a Copa America in between. It's difficult for him to be 100% and not have had problems, I see that as normal. He suffered an injury, but in general he has always been well with us.”

Argentina will be back in action on Tuesday when playing host to Peru. That will be Messi’s last competitive outing for several months as his season in the United States has already come to a close. Inter Miami suffered a shock defeat to Atlanta United in the MLS Cup play-offs.