Football offers second chances, but for Lionel Messi to have his, he’ll need to wait until the next MLS season, after what many consider a disappointing finish in the U.S. soccer league.

The celebration that began on October 2, 2024, with the awarding of the Supporters’ Shield and Inter Miami CF’s confirmed qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup, was overshadowed by their defeat to Atlanta United, which resulted in David Beckham’s team being eliminated.

This is a significant setback for Major League Soccer, losing its top player during the league’s most critical phase, while Messi now turns his focus to his commitments with the Argentine National Team.

Messi in “National Team Mode”

Just days after being eliminated with Inter Miami, Argentina’s number 10 joined Lionel Scaloni’s squad to prepare for the last matches of the year with the world champion team.

When Do Messi and Argentina Play Next?

In the upcoming double-header, Argentina will face Paraguay in Asunción on Thursday, November 14, followed by a match against Peru on Tuesday, November 19, at La Bombonera, since the Monumental stadium will be undergoing preparations for the Copa Libertadores Final on November 30.

Unexpected Issues for Argentina

The reigning world and two-time Copa América champions faced challenges completing their roster, as players coming from England — Cristian Romero, Facundo Buonanotte, Lisandro Martínez, Emiliano Martínez, and Enzo Fernández — were stranded in Brazil, prompting the Argentine Football Association to arrange a charter to bring them to Buenos Aires.

Additionally, players arriving from Madrid — Giovani Lo Celso, Julián Álvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Nahuel Molina — faced a delay of over six hours in reaching the Argentine capital.

Despite these setbacks, the team held their first practice session this afternoon, led by captain Lionel Messi, who arrived at the training facility that bears his name on Monday morning from Miami.

With all 26 players available, Scaloni will begin shaping the starting eleven on Tuesday to face Paraguay at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción.

On Wednesday, the coach will hold his usual press conference, and in the afternoon, following practice, the Argentine team will travel to Paraguay’s capital for the match against La Albirroja.