A FIFA Date Without Messi On The Horizon

The Argentina National Team, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, will close its CONMEBOL Qualifiers campaign in early September against Venezuela and Ecuador. However, Lionel Messi’s presence is in doubt after suffering a mild hamstring injury in his right leg. The captain has no set return date and is not guaranteed to be among the call-ups.

It’s not the first time the team has had to play without him. In two of the last three matches—against Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile—Thiago Almada stepped into the playmaker role and excelled, establishing himself as the breakout star of the cycle.

Thiago Almada, The Trusted Man

The former Vélez player and current Lyon midfielder shined in 2024 and has maintained his level this season. Against Uruguay, he was decisive with a stunning long-range goal to seal a 1-0 victory; against Brazil, he played a key role in the historic 4-1 win; and versus Chile, he assisted Julián Álvarez for the only goal of the game. These performances have cemented him as a vital piece in Scaloni’s setup.

In contrast, Paulo Dybala, once the natural backup for Messi, has lost ground due to recurring injuries and has not been called up since September 2024. Despite enjoying a good spell with Roma, his repeated absences during FIFA dates have pushed him out of contention.

Scaloni’s Alternatives

Beyond handing the keys to Almada, Scaloni has tested various alternatives: against Chile and Uruguay, he deployed Giuliano Simeone to add speed on the wing, backed by three midfielders; while against Brazil, he opted to crowd the middle, pushing Rodrigo De Paul higher up and surrounding Almada with Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Leandro Paredes.

The challenge for September will be to maintain solidity and creativity without the captain. And while no one can truly replace Messi’s influence, Argentina has already shown it has the resources to keep shining.