Lionel Scaloni has shut down speculation linking Roma forward Matias Soule with a potential switch to Italy, calling such talk “impossible”. The Argentina boss made it clear that the 21-year-old remains firmly in his plans for the Albiceleste. Scaloni hailed the youngster’s growth at Roma and described him as Argentina’s “future” ahead of their friendly against Puerto Rico.
After missing Argentina’s first friendly of the October window, Lionel Messi has rejoined the national team and could feature against Puerto Rico on Tuesday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The captain skipped the Venezuela match to play for Inter Miami but is now back in full training with Lionel Scaloni’s squad.
Chelsea are holding their breath after key midfielder Enzo Fernandez withdrew from international duty with a knee problem. Fernandez joined up with the Argentina squad earlier this week having played the full 90 in Saturday's 2-1 win over Liverpool. The Blues star, who played 78 minutes of Argentina's 1-0 win over Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, has since returned to London.
Gio Lo Celso grabbed the only goal as Argentina eased to a 1-0 win over Venezuela in a rather drab international friendly held at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. The World Cup holders were a little languid as the game wore on in the absence of Lionel Messi, who was rested, but did enough in the first half to secure a narrow win.
Lionel Messi was rested for Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela, a 1-0 win, at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday, keeping alive the possibility he could feature for Inter Miami against Atlanta United on Saturday. Earlier in the day, head coach Javier Mascherano said Messi’s availability would depend on whether he played against Venezuela, noting that Argentina would make the final decision.
Will he or won't he? Lionel Messi has a massive decision to make and, just eight months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, we still don't know whether he'll lead Argentina's title defence. "At my age, it's only logical to think I might not," the 38-year-old told TyC Sports just last month. But, let's face it, there's never really anything logical about Messi's career.
William Saliba revealed how he's already "taken revenge" against Enzo Fernandez for the World Cup defeat with Arsenal. The French defender, now a pillar at both Arsenal and for Didier Deschamps’ national side, says France aren’t intimidated by anyone, not even Lionel Messi’s world champions.
A match between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, according to the Associated Press. The friendly was set to be played on Oct. 13 at Soldier Field but will be moved to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has vowed not to take any risks with Lionel Messi during the October international friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Messi is doubtful for the Venezuela clash, which will be played on Saturday, only a day before Inter Miami face Atlanta United in a crucial MLS fixture. He will link up with his Argentine team-mates after playing seven matches in 21 days.
Lionel Messi’s nephew and godson, Tomas, admits that his family has “suffered a lot” down the years as a result of the Inter Miami superstar’s global celebrity status. After bursting onto the scene at Barcelona, it did not take Messi long to take up a standing alongside the greats. He is now an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the most decorated player of all-time, with many highs and lows being experienced over the course of a remarkable career.
From selling cookies on the streets of Moreno to wearing Argentina’s iconic sky-blue and white, 21-year-old Lautaro Rivero’s journey reads like a football fairy tale. Once a street vendor helping his family make ends meet, the River Plate defender has now been called up to Lionel Scaloni’s senior squad and is eyeing a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
The long-rumored clash between World Cup champions Argentina and Mexico is now set, according to AFA president Claudio Tapia. Tapia said in an interview that the teams will meet in early June, just days before the 2026 World Cup kicks off with Javier Aguirre’s El Tri playing their first match of the tournament at Estadio Azteca.
Cesc Fabregas claims that Como sensation Nico Paz is getting Lionel Messi-esque treatment from Serie A rivals. World Cup winner Fabregas once played alongside Messi at Barcelona, with opponents eager to keep the ball away from him as much as possible. Paz is, much like his Argentina international team-mate, considered to be another match-altering talent.
Lamine Yamal's Spain have stormed back to the summit of international football, claiming top spot from Lionel Messi's Argentina in the latest FIFA men's world rankings for the first time since 2014. Their rise comes after victories over Turkey and Bulgaria in World Cup qualifying, ending the world champions' two-year reign at the top, as they slip to third following a costly defeat to Ecuador, with France moving up to second.
Lionel Messi has been sent "it's done" advice after choosing to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo and extend his remarkable playing career. With CR7 extending his Al-Nassr contract at 40 years of age, Argentine icon Messi is expected to tread a similar path by agreeing fresh terms with Inter Miami in MLS. Neither of the all-time greats are ready to consider retirement any time soon.
Como sensation Nico Paz admits to watching Lionel Messi videos on YouTube as he attempts to “replicate” what the Inter Miami superstar is capable of. Paz is now an Argentina international team-mate of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, but continues to use his illustrious fellow countryman as a source of inspiration when it comes to enhancing his own game.
Lionel Messi’s presence at the 2026 World Cup has been called into question, but Argentina team-mate Cristian Romero claims the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will “easily” make it to that event. The all-time great has, at 38 years of age, conceded that fitness concerns could lead to him missing out on the defence of a global title in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Tensions boiled over during Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador as Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister clashed with new Arsenal signing Piero Hincapie. The pair exchanged heated words after a late incident in stoppage time, sparking headlines both in South America and the Premier League. After the fiery exchange, Mac Allister later sent a message to his rival.
Lionel Messi bagged a career first achievement despite missing Argentina's final World Cup qualifying game against Ecuador. After an emotional outing on home soil against Venezuela last week, Messi travelled for the Ecuador clash but was granted a rest by Lionel Scaloni. Argentina lost 1-0, but Messi still finished as the overall top scorer in the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.
Lionel Messi and Argentina have been dealt a major blow with Nicolas Otamendi now suspended for their 2026 World Cup opener after picking up a red card in their final qualifying match against Ecuador. The experienced defender was sent off for a reckless tackle in the 1-0 defeat, but Argentina still finished at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table.
Argentina
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