Lionel Messi and the Argentina National Team are set to play two friendly matches during the October international break. Messi was part of the squad list for the friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
The first friendly match is scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025, against Venezuela at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Despite being part of the squad list, Messi may not be available for the match after the words of Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni.
Scaloni was asked about Messi’s participation in the match against Venezuela on Friday, following the Argentine star’s appearance during training sessions with the rest of the Argentina national team.
Narella Senra of DSports Argentina reports that Messi could miss the match against Venezuela, but not due to an injury. Scaloni was asked about the fitness of Messi after the star played seven games in a row with Inter Miami in the league.
When Scaloni was asked if Messi would play limited minutes with Argentina after seven full matches with Inter Miami, the head coach said, “We will speak with him. We will not risk anyone [in terms of the amount of minutes played].”
Could Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami vs Atlanta United?
According to Narella Senra, Lionel Messi could play on Saturday with Inter Miami vs Atlanta and then get some minutes on Tuesday vs Puerto Rico. Nothing has been decided, but the travel will not be an issue for Messi.
Gaston Edul reports that Argentina’s match against Puerto Rico has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The friendly match was originally planned to be on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Chicago, but it was cancelled due to protests in Chicago.
The match between Argentina and Puerto Rico will now be set to be played at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium.