Serie A · Goalkeeper · #0 · Italy · 24 yrs
With the 2026 MLS season already underway, questions are being raised about when Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi will play his next game. Lionel Messi is still making history at 38 years old, remaining a cornerstone and captain for both Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. With the 2026 Major League Soccer season now underway, fans are wondering when they’ll see the forward back in action. Lionel Messi’s next match with Inter Miami is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, when the Herons host CF Montreal at Nu Stadium for the 2026 MLS. The Argentine star heads to the game after scoring one goal in the 2-1 defeat against Toronto FC. As for his next game with Argentina, there is no game scheduled yet, but the next matchups will be in the upcoming extended international break in September-October. Still, his continuity at the helm of the Albiceleste remains a question since he hasn’t spoken after the 2026 World Cup final over his future. During the World Cup, Messi featured in all eight matches for Argentina scoring eigth goals to cement his legacy as the second all-time top scorer in the torunament with 21 career World Cup goals. As for the 2026 MLS campaign, Messi has featured in 16 official matches so far across all competitions for Inter Miami, scoring 13 goals with 7 assist registered thus far. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF during the MLS match against LAFC. Lionel Messi and the task of defending the World Cup title The year 2026 will be especially significant for Messi, not only because of Inter Miami’s ambitions but also because he’ll head into the 2026 World Cup aiming to defend the title. The triumph in Qatar in 2022 marked one of the defining peaks of his career, and now in North America he’ll enter another tournament wearing the champions’ badge for the first time. Drawn into Group J, Argentina will open its campaign against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium. The second match will be against Austria on Monday the 22nd in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, before closing the group stage against Jordan on Saturday the 27th, also in Texas. The Argentina FA has announced that the national team will base itself in Kansas City during the tournament, though training facilities have yet to be confirmed. Expected to be his final World Cup appearance, Messi will have a chance to add to his record haul with a squad coached by Lionel Scaloni that remains one of the strongest in international soccer after winning the last World Cup and back-to-back Copa América titles.
With talks with China resurfacing, Lionel Messi's presence in the upcoming international friendlies with Argentina has been put reportedly in doubt. Lionel Messi demonstrated throughout the 2026 World Cup that he remains a vital cornerstone of the Argentina national team despite turning 39. However, his availability for the upcoming window of international friendlies has reportedly been cast into doubt as negotiations to play matches in China resume. The upcoming autumn international window, spanning late September and early October, provides national teams the flexibility to schedule up to four friendly fixtures per FIFA guidelines. Despite having less than a month before the squad returns to action following the 2026 World Cup final, the Argentine Football Association has yet to formally confirm any fixtures. According to reporting from ESPN Argentina insider Esteban Edul, Chinese promoters submitted a lucrative proposal to host Argentina for multiple exhibition matches in Asia. However, the offer initially fell through after organizers insisted on a contractual guarantee that Messi would feature in the matches, which the federation could not promise. FIFA regulations mandate that international friendlies within a single window take place in the same geographic region, with travel between venues limited to maximum two-hour flight times, eliminating the possibility of splitting matches between Asia and South America. While staging all friendly matches domestically in Argentina was considered, AFA leadership dismissed the option due to a shortage of available high-caliber opponents. Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates with Julian Alvarez #9 after scoring against Egypt. Negotiations resume for potential Asian tour As reported by Edul, the AFA has reopened dialogue with Chinese representatives regarding a potential slate of friendlies against China and regional opponents. Messi’s guaranteed participation remains the central sticking point in negotiations, directly impacting the financial structure of the proposed tour. Since Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, Messi shared a heartfelt message to supporters but has refrained from publicly addressing his future with the Albiceleste. While Argentine federation officials hope to retain the legendary forward through the 2028 Copa America, whether Messi dons the national team jersey again remains a decision known only to the Inter Miami star. Argentina to face Uzbekistan in China? Finalizing friendly opponents for the upcoming window has presented significant scheduling hurdles worldwide, with European nations tied up in UEFA Nations League play, removing an entire continent of potential sparring partners. In response, a potential fixture against Uzbekistan has emerged as a viable alternative, though key details remain unconfirmed. According to reports from multiple Uzbek media outlets, the Uzbekistan Football Federation confirmed its national team is scheduled to face Argentina in a friendly in China on September 30. While the AFA has not issued official confirmation, the geographic proximity aligns with the proposed parameters for an Asian tour.
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