Messi Sits Out Argentina’s 1-0 Win Over Venezuela in Miami

In a friendly match played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, the Argentina national team emerged victorious over Venezuela, winning 1-0 without their captain and superstar Lionel Messi. The match marked a rare instance of Messi not leading the Albiceleste, as he was spotted watching the game from the stands with his family.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had hinted at the possibility of resting Messi or experimenting with the lineup ahead of the match. “We’ve spoken with everyone. We haven’t decided on the team yet. We’ll decide until late in the last training session,” Scaloni said on Thursday. “It’s true that these are games to try out and to see… while always respecting the opponent, and today we’ll finalize that decision.”

Messi’s absence was notable, but the team still managed to secure a win thanks to a solitary goal. The match was part of Argentina’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup, and Scaloni emphasized the importance of these friendlies in fine-tuning the team’s strategy. Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami, started on the bench but came in as a substitute in the second half, replacing Atletico Madrid star Julián Álvarez.

The win was a confidence booster for Argentina ahead of their next friendly against Puerto Rico on Tuesday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The match was initially scheduled to take place in Chicago but was relocated due to poor ticket sales. Franco Mastantuono will miss the remainder of the camp due to a left thigh injury, a setback that Scaloni will need to address in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami, Messi’s club side, is gearing up for a crucial match against Atlanta United FC on Saturday at Chase Stadium. Coach Javier Mascherano expressed his desire to see Messi in action for the club, especially given their upcoming fixtures. “I’d love it. Imagine being able to have Leo Messi… but the reality is he hasn’t been with us,” Mascherano said, highlighting the impact Messi’s presence could have on the team.

As Inter Miami aims to secure a higher place in the Eastern Conference table to ensure home-field advantage in the postseason, Messi’s availability for the match against Atlanta United FC remains uncertain. Despite already qualifying for the 2025 MLS playoffs, the team is determined to push for a better standing.

The Argentina team’s performance without Messi sends a positive signal ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. Scaloni’s decision to experiment with the lineup and rest key players might be seen as a calculated move to ensure the team’s peak fitness and form for the tournament. As the team prepares for the next challenge, the focus will be on fine-tuning their strategy and addressing the injuries that have plagued some of their key players.

The Match in Numbers

• Argentina’s 1-0 win over Venezuela marked their third consecutive clean sheet in friendlies.
• Lionel Messi has now missed two consecutive matches for Argentina, with the team winning both games.
• Rodrigo De Paul has come off the bench in two consecutive matches for Argentina, scoring zero goals.

What’s Next?

Argentina’s next match is against Puerto Rico on Tuesday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inter Miami will face Atlanta United FC on Saturday at Chase Stadium. With the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, all eyes will be on Scaloni’s team as they look to build on their recent successes.

Quotes from the Match

• “These are games to try out and to see… while always respecting the opponent, and today we’ll finalize that decision.” – Lionel Scaloni
• “I’d love it. Imagine being able to have Leo Messi… but the reality is he hasn’t been with us.” – Javier Mascherano

Injury Update

• Franco Mastantuono will miss the remainder of the camp due to a left thigh injury.
• Lionel Messi’s availability for Inter Miami’s match against Atlanta United FC remains uncertain.

The Argentina team’s performance without Messi has sent a positive signal, and the focus now shifts to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. With Scaloni at the helm, the team looks poised to make a strong impression on the international stage.