CONFIRMATION: Messi will no longer play for Argentina in World Cup qualifiers

The Argentina national team has officially announced that Lionel Messi will be absent from the match versus Ecuador in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for the South American region.

The Argentine Football Association recently confirmed that superstar Lionel Messi will miss the final qualifier match against Ecuador for the 2026 World Cup in South America. This decision comes after the 39-year-old star shone brightly in the 3-0 victory over Venezuela, and the coaching staff wants toensure he reaches the best possible condition for the crucial matches ahead.

Before facing Ecuador, Argentina had already secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup finals following an impressive run under coach Lionel Scaloni. With a 10-point lead over second-placed Brazil, "La Albiceleste" dominates the qualifying table and can temporarily relax as Messi needs rest.

However, the absence of the team's emotional leader will certainly impact Argentina's strength. Messi recently scored twice in the 3-0 win over Venezuela, a match believed to be his last home appearance for Argentina. The moment Messi shed tears before over 80,000 fans at the Monumental stadium convinced many that the upcoming World Cup might be his final major international tournament.

Coach Scaloni stated that resting Messi is part of a long-term plan to prevent overload for the star currently playing for Inter Miami. In the match against Ecuador, Julian Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez is likely to start, while Angel Di Maria and Enzo Fernandez will take on the creative roles.

Additionally, Argentina aims to test some young talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Carboni to prepare the best squad for the 2026 World Cup.

After the Ecuador match, Argentina will face a very important game—the Intercontinental Supercup (Finalissima) against Spain, scheduled for early 2026 at a neutral venue. This will likely be Messi’s return moment, where he is expected to lead Argentina to claim the title as a boost before defending their crown in the USA.

Messi’s absence against Ecuador might disappoint fans, but it is a sensible choice to preserve the Argentine legend’s health. With consistent performance and a balanced squad, Argentina is still highly rated to continue their impressive streak in the qualifiers.