Messi won't play in Argentina's Hard Rock friendly
Briefly

Messi won't play in Argentina's Hard Rock friendly
"It's true that these are games to try out and to see, as I said the other day, and that's what we're going to do. But we'll talk with him and decide today. It's obvious I'd like to try out different options because that's what these are games for, while always respecting the opponent, and today we'll finalize that decision."
"Scaloni reiterated that the team was using its upcoming friendlies to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Argentina plays again on Tuesday in a friendly against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That game was originally scheduled to be played in Chicago, but was relocated in part due to poor ticket sales. Messi's club side Inter Miami has a game on Saturday, sandwiched between Argentina's two friendlies."
"Miami coach Javier Mascherano welcomed the opportunity to see Messi play with the club when facing Atlanta United FC in the final home game at Chase Stadium on Saturday, but said he had not spoken to the player about his involvement. "I'd love it. Imagine being able to have Leo Messi, but the reality is he hasn't been with us, and I'll repeat this because we're talking about Leo," said Mascherano."
Lionel Messi will not be available for Argentina's friendly against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Argentina plans to use upcoming friendlies to prepare for the 2026 World Cup and intends to experiment with different lineup options while respecting opponents. Discussions with Messi and other players will occur and final team selections will be decided late in the last training sessions. Argentina plays Puerto Rico next in Fort Lauderdale after that fixture was moved from Chicago partly due to poor ticket sales. Inter Miami has a club match on Saturday between Argentina's two friendlies, and Miami coach Javier Mascherano has not discussed Messi's involvement.
Read at ESPN.com
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