Scaloni doubts Lionel Messi’s participation in the Chile match for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
One hundred ninety-eight days without playing for Argentina and 5,910 miles to fly over the next nine days to possibly play up to three matches. Leo Messi is making his long-awaited return to the national team, and his schedule is stretched to the limit. Lionel Scaloni knows this all too well. That’s why the head coach warned that Messi’s presence against Chile will depend on a physical evaluation and a personal conversation with him.
“I spoke to Leo, and we’ve kept in touch. We haven’t yet decided if he’ll start against Chile—we need to talk to him first,” Scaloni told when asked about the captain potentially being in the starting lineup. “It would be good to know how he’s feeling physically—we haven’t discussed that part yet,” the coach added, keeping things up in the air.
Scaloni’s approach is based on the idea he’s emphasized throughout his tenure: the current context allows for rotation and for giving opportunities to players who’ve had fewer minutes with the national team.
That mindset—combined with Messi’s recent playing time with Inter Miami and Scaloni’s intimate knowledge of the No. 10’s fitness—could lead to alternate plans. Perhaps something was discussed in the brief meeting Messi and the coach had during Tuesday’s training session on the auxiliary field?
“It’s clear that we’re in a position to try different things,” Scaloni said, referencing Argentina’s early qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
“For now, Leo is fit to play. We’ll assess. He had a good game on Saturday—we’ll make a decision,” the coach reiterated. Messi joined the squad in the early hours of Tuesday and had only one training session with his teammates. Wednesday’s set-piece practice and a one-on-one talk with Scaloni will be key in determining his role.
An intensely packed schedule for Messi
So far, Messi has three matches scheduled—and three plane seats reserved—before his FIFA Club World Cup debut. After the match against Chile, he could face Colombia next Tuesday at El Monumental. Then comes Inter Miami’s tournament opener against Egypt’s Al Ahly on Saturday, June 14, in the U.S.
With that in mind, starting Messi on the bench might help manage his workload. Still, it’s likely he’s eager to be on the field—he surely misses wearing the Argentina jersey.
When was Messi’s last match for Argentina?
Messi’s last appearance for the national team was on November 19 in a 1–0 win over Peru at Boca Juniors’ stadium. Although Scaloni included him in the March international window (against Uruguay in Montevideo and Brazil at El Monumental), the captain had to withdraw due to a minor injury.
Whether Messi starts against Chile will depend on how the next few days unfold. Either way, just having him back is reason enough for celebration.