The News: Lionel Messi’s participation in Argentina’s South American World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Thursday is uncertain, despite his recent return to training and club action. Coach Lionel Scaloni has expressed doubts about the 36-year-old star player’s readiness for the crucial match.
Messi recently made a comeback after an injury layoff, playing 37 minutes as a second-half substitute for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. However, his limited playing time since early September and an injury sustained during international duty last month raise concerns about his fitness.
Scaloni mentioned that they have one more training session to assess Messi’s condition and decide whether he can start. The coach also noted the upcoming match against Peru in Lima just five days later, which factors into their decision.
If Messi is unable to play, Scaloni has the option of starting Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez as a pair. Paraguay, on the other hand, has had a modest start to their qualification campaign with just one point from their initial matches.
In another key matchup, Brazil will host Venezuela in Cuiaba. Brazil is currently under interim coach Fernando Diniz and will face a resilient Venezuelan team. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro emphasized the importance of respecting their opponents, acknowledging that in South America, there are no easy games.
After their clash with Venezuela, Brazil will face Uruguay in Montevideo on Tuesday, further testing their adaptability under a new coach.
Thursday’s matches also include Colombia hosting Uruguay, Bolivia taking on Ecuador, and Peru visiting Chile. South America’s World Cup qualifiers continue to offer thrilling matchups and intense competition on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
