Category: Argentina

Messi: I’ll keep playing as long as I still enjoy the game

It sounds like the Argentina superstar isn’t going away anytime soon

Lionel Messi has said age won’t be a factor in his eventual decision to retire, instead saying he’ll only hang up his boots when he is no longer enjoying the sport.

The Inter Miami star will turn 37 in July, but has continued to be a high-impact player for club and for Argentina even in the latter stages of his career.

Messi has started the 2024 season in strong form again for Miami, tallying five goals and two assists across five matches in all competitions. He is, however, currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

The World Cup winner spoke about his playing future in an appearance on the Big Time podcast, which was broadcast on Saudi Arabian TV this week.

“I know that as soon as I believe that I can no longer perform, or no longer enjoy the game, or I’m not able to help my teammates, then I will stop,” Messi said.

“I am really self-critical; I know when I am good and when I am bad. So for my retirement, it will not matter what age I am. If I feel good, I will keep playing.”

Messi added that he hasn’t thought about retirement yet, saying: “I hope to continue playing for a while longer, that is my plan. After that, I will try to do something I like in a new role.”

Messi learns to love the other football

The Argentina international also said that living in the U.S. has opened his eyes to that other football that’s so popular in his new home country.

Asked about his favorite non-soccer sports, Messi said: “Tennis, padel, basketball, and also American football. I am learning a lot about American football and have come to understand it more and I’m enjoying it!”

It sounds like the Miami Dolphins need to roll out the red carpet to get Messi out to a game this fall.

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Argentina vs. Costa Rica: How to watch international friendly, live stream

The World Cup champions close out their two-game U.S. tour in Los Angeles

Argentina will conclude a two-game tour of the United States on Tuesday with a match against Costa Rica at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The World Cup champions defeated El Salvador 3-0 on Friday in Philadelphia, before flying to the west coast for their second match against Concacaf opposition.

Lionel Messi is out for this international window due to a hamstring injury, but plenty of Argentina’s other big names have made the trip to the USA, including Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Ángel Di María, Julián Álvarez and more.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Argentina vs. Costa Rica on Fanatiz” link=”https://fanatiz.jbbfvx.net/xkKdgO”]

Costa Rica is coming off a huge 3-1 win against Honduras on Saturday, with the victory seeing the Ticos qualify for this summer’s Copa América.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Argentina vs. Costa Rica (international friendly)

  • When: Tuesday, March 26
  • Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
  • Time: 10:50 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: Fanatiz (Watch LIVE)

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Argentina vs. El Salvador: How to watch international friendly, live stream

The World Cup champions face the Concacaf nation in the first of two U.S. friendlies in March

Argentina may be without its biggest star, but there will be plenty of talent still on display when the World Cup champion faces El Salvador in a friendly on Friday in Philadelphia.

Fans were disappointed when Argentina announced this week that Lionel Messi would miss this match, as well as the team’s friendly against Costa Rica in Los Angeles next week, after suffering a “minor injury” in his right hamstring.

But some of Argentina’s biggest stars from its World Cup-winning squad will be present for the two matches, including Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Ángel Di María, Julián Álvarez and more.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch the Argentina vs. El Salvador on Paramount Plus” link=”https://paramountplus.qflm.net/217Nxg”]

The first of the two games will pit the Albiceleste against El Salvador, which drew Bonaire 1-1 on Wednesday in a friendly just two days before its matchup against the World Cup winners.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Argentina vs. El Salvador (international friendly)

  • When: Friday, March 22
  • Where: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: Paramount+ (WATCH LIVE). CBS Sports Golazo Network, Fox Deportes

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Messi ruled out for Argentina friendlies in Philadelphia and Los Angeles

The Inter Miami star will be forced out of matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica

Lionel Messi has been ruled out for a pair of upcoming Argentina friendlies in the United States due to injury.

Messi suffered what the Argentina Football Federation (AFA) called a “minor injury” in his right hamstring last Wednesday during Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against Nashville SC.

After missing Inter Miami’s game against D.C. United over the weekend, Messi has now been ruled out for Friday’s game against El Salvador in Philadelphia and a March 26 match against Costa Rica in Los Angeles.

“Argentina captain Lionel Messi won’t be able to be in the squad for the friendlies in the USA due to a minor right hamstring injury suffered in Inter Miami’s match against Nashville SC,” an AFA statement read.

Messi has struggled with injury on multiple occasions so far in 2024, with a preseason muscle injury limiting him during Inter Miami’s tour of Asia.

After recovering in time for the MLS regular season, Messi returned to his usual outstanding form by tallying five goals and two assists across five matches in all competitions.

Though Messi won’t be part of Argentina’s squad for its March friendlies, fans in the U.S. will still have plenty more chances to see the legendary figure if he is healthy this summer.

Argentina will face Ecuador at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 9, before a June 14 match against Guatemala at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. Those two friendlies will take place just before the 2024 Copa América, which could see Argentina play up to six more games in the United States.

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Messi left out as Argentina beats Bolivia in World Cup qualifier

With Messi watching on, Argentina cruised to a 3-0 win

Lionel Messi was left out of Argentina’s squad for Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier at Bolivia, but the defending champions still cruised to a 3-0 win.

Messi’s status for the match in La Paz was in doubt after he did not train with his teammates on Monday.

In Argentina’s opening World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Friday, Messi scored a stunning free-kick winner and later requested to be substituted due to what he called fatigue.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the game that Messi “felt something” and would undergo further tests ahead of the match at Bolivia.

Though Messi travelled with his teammates to Bolivia, the Inter Miami star was ultimately not risked for the game at Estadio Hernando Siles.

Messi watched on from the bench as Argentina emerged victorious, with goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolás Tagliafico and Nicolás González carrying the World Cup champions.

After the game, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi tried to pass a late fitness test, but ultimately was deemed too much of an injury risk.

“Leo wasn’t ready to play. Today he tried to recover but he didn’t feel comfortable so we didn’t want to risk him,” Scaloni said after the game.

“It wasn’t necessary because important games are coming. And it was a difficult game, even him coming from the bench could be an injury risk.”

(Photo by Jorge Bernal / AFP)

Messi is currently tied with his longtime Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez on 29 South American World Cup qualifying goals, which is the most of all time.

Messi, 36, has already played 11 matches with Inter Miami after only joining the MLS club less than two months ago. That heavy fixture pile-up was increased by Miami’s run to the Leagues Cup title last month.

Inter Miami is next in action on Saturday against Atlanta United, with Messi’s status unclear for the match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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How to watch Argentina vs. Bolivia: CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier TV and streaming

How to catch Argentina in action against Bolivia in World Cup qualifying

Argentina will continue its march to defend its World Cup title when it travels to face Bolivia in a 2026 qualifier in the altitude of La Paz.

Bolivia will be an especially motivated opponent. With an expanded 48-team field, La Verde have plenty of reason to believe they can crack the World Cup for the first time since 1994.

But there is no doubting the fact that Argentina will be a tough test for Bolivia, which opened up qualifying with a 5-1 loss to Brazil last week.

Of course, the name on everyone’s mind has had an impact already for Argentina in qualifying: Lionel Messi.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Argentina vs. Bolivia” link=”https://fanatiz.jbbfvx.net/21VrMz”]

The Argentines won their first qualifier 1-0 over Ecuador, with Messi’s curling free kick in the second half the difference.

Messi’s status for the match against Bolivia is unclear. He was removed from the match against Ecuador due to fatigue, but head coach Lionel Scaloni said after the game that the superstar “felt something” and would need to undergo tests.

But Messi is only the tip of the iceberg for Bolivia. Can the underdogs also handle the likes of Angel Di Maria, Enzo Fernández, Lautaro Martínez and more?

Here’s everything you need to know to catch the action:

Bolivia vs. Argentina (World Cup qualifying)

World Cup Qualifying Starting Lineups

Bolivia possible lineup:
Viscarra; Medina, Quinteros, Jusino, Suarez, Fernandez; Bejarano, Villamil, Ursino, Arrascaita; Moreno

Argentina possible lineup:
Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Gonzalez, Martinez

World Cup Qualifying Odds and betting lines

World Cup Qualifier odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Odds were last updated Monday at 11:50 a.m. 

Bolivia (+500) vs. Argentina (-185)

Draw: (+310)

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Argentina vs. Bolivia on Fanatiz” link=”https://fanatiz.jbbfvx.net/21VrMz”]

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MLS player saves Argentina with stunning free-kick winner

Argentina needed a hero. You can probably guess what happened next

Argentina needed a hero as its opening 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador neared its latter stages still scoreless.

If Lionel Messi wasn’t already the most likely person to fill that role, it became nearly inevitable when Argentina was given a free kick right at the top of the box in the 78th minute.

It was the kind of range from which Messi stepped up in his Inter Miami debut against Cruz Azul in July.

And just like he did in that Leagues Cup match in Fort Lauderdale, and as he’s done countless other times when the pressure was at its highest, Messi delivered.

Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez wasn’t able to even offer a courtesy dive as Messi’s free kick sent the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires into raptures.

The legend’s free kick would be the game’s only goal, as Argentina’s run to a World Cup title defense got off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory.

It was the kind of moment that once again underscored how wild it truly is to have a player of Messi’s stature playing in MLS while he still possesses these kinds of powers.

“We know that they are difficult matches in the qualifiers,” Messi told reporters after the match. “Ecuador has very good players, they know what they are doing and they are very good physically. It was a very tough match, very physical.

“Not long ago, we were world champions, but it seems like a lot happened since then. We have to keep going, competing and qualifying for the next World Cup, take it game after game.”

Messi was given a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 89th minute. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said that Messi “felt something” and asked to come off, though Messi himself insisted he was just tired.

“I was a bit tired. It just happened and it probably won’t be the last time I come off during a match,” Messi said. “But I felt very good, even though it was very difficult to play.”

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Argentina defender Pezzella subscribed to MLS Season Pass to watch Messi

The Apple TV service is seeing a huge jump in subscribers, including some of Messi’s Argentina teammates

Argentina defender Germán Pezzella said he’s signed up for MLS Season Pass in order to follow Lionel Messi’s progress with Inter Miami.

Messi has been a major success since his move to the United States, leading Inter Miami on an 11-game unbeaten run and scoring 11 goals in the process.

The Argentina legend has made a major impact off the field as well, with Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas saying last month that subscriptions to Season Pass on Apple TV had more than doubled after Messi’s move to MLS in July.

One of those subscribers appears to be Pezzella, who was Messi’s teammate on Argentina’s World Cup-winning side last year and is now back with the national team alongside the Inter Miami star for World Cup qualifiers.

Asked if he was watching Messi in MLS, Pezzella told reporters: “Yes, I had to sign up for the subscription because I didn’t have it.”

Pezzella added: “It motivates you because you see everything he has achieved and he continues with the same hunger and desire to compete, wherever he is, in the national team, his previous club, or now in the United States. He always wants more. We have to learn from what he shows, not only with the ball at his feet, but on and off the field.”

MLS and Apple signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion media rights deal last year which saw the technology giant acquire the rights to every game in English and Spanish on its Season Pass subscription service.

In a boost for the partners and for Pezzella, who plays in Spain with Real Betis, there are no geographic restrictions on any of the matches.

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Louis van Gaal: World Cup was rigged for Lionel Messi

The former Dutch coach is still irked by how things went down in the World Cup quarterfinal

Former Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has charged that the World Cup was rigged so Lionel Messi and Argentina would win.

Messi finally lifted the game’s biggest prize in December, as Argentina defeated France on penalties in the World Cup final.

On its way to World Cup glory, Argentina got past the Netherlands on penalties in a contentious quarterfinal that ended 2-2. Following the game, Messi and Van Gaal had words on the sideline in what appeared to be an acrimonious exchange.

Nine months after the game and his subsequent resignation as Netherlands coach, it was clear that Van Gaal is still rather bitter about how things went down that night at the Lusail Stadium.

“I do not really want to say much about it,” Van Gaal told reporters on Tuesday. “When you see how Argentina scored their goals and how we scored our goals, and how some Argentina players overstepped the mark and were not punished, then I think it was all a premeditated game.”

Asked what he meant Van Gaal replied: “I mean everything I said.”

Van Gaal was then asked if he was saying that Messi was predetermined to be world champion.

“I think so, yeah,” was his reply.

After Van Gaal’s comments, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said he did not agree with his former manager.

“I heard it this morning, indeed. And that’s actually it,” the defender told NOS. “It is of course his opinion. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. I do not share the same opinion.”

Ironically, after the game in December it was Messi and his teammate Emiliano Martínez who were fuming at referee Mateu Lahoz, of whom Messi said: “FIFA has to review it. They can’t put a referee who is not up to the task in this instance.”

Martínez added: “The ref was just giving everything for them. He gave 10 minutes [stoppage time]. For no reason, 10 minutes. He was giving free kicks outside the box for them, like two, three times. He just wanted them to score, that’s basically it. So hopefully we don’t have that ref anymore, he’s useless.”

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Argentina calls up nearly as many MLS players as USMNT

A record three MLS players will be joining Argentina ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Argentina has called in a record three MLS players for its upcoming World Cup qualifiers, with Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) and Alan Velasco (FC Dallas) all getting the call.

The world champions will play Ecuador on September 7 and Bolivia on September 12 as they begin their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

With three call-ups, Argentina is only one short of the four MLS players the U.S. national team called in for its upcoming friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman.

Ironically, one of those USMNT call-ups — Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi — is still eligible to play for Argentina. The other three MLS players called in by Gregg Berhalter are Drake Callender (Inter Miami), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United) and Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes).

Almada and Messi were teammates on Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winning squad. Almada, who played six minutes total in the tournament, became the first active MLS player to win the World Cup.

Messi, of course, played a considerably bigger role, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player as he finally lifted the game’s biggest international prize with Argentina.

For Velasco, the call-up represents the first time he’s been invited to join Argentina’s senior national team. The 21-year-old winger has been previously called into the Albiceleste’s U-17 side.

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