Messi Called Up, But on His Own Schedule

Lionel Scaloni has announced the squad for Argentina’s final tour of 2025, which will feature an intense week of training in Spain and a friendly against Angola on November 14 in Luanda.

Among the headline names is Lionel Messi, though the captain will follow a slightly different schedule from the rest of the team because of his duties with Inter Miami, who are fighting to advance in the MLS Playoffs after a rollercoaster season in the United States.

Training in Spain, Finale in Africa

Argentina’s national team will set up camp in Alicante, where they’ll hold several training sessions before heading to Africa. Messi will join the group from the start and travel with the squad on Thursday the 13th to Luanda, where they’ll face Angola in their final match of the year.

The friendly will serve as a key test ahead of both the Finalissima and the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina will look to defend their crown as reigning champions from Qatar.

Early Return to Miami

After the match in Angola, the coaching staff plans to release Messi early so he can return to Miami and rejoin Inter if the club qualifies for the MLS quarterfinals.

His early departure means he’ll miss the last three days of team training, but Scaloni and his staff fully understand: the captain needs to balance his leadership for Argentina with his decisive role in Miami’s season finale.

A Strategic End to the Year

The November tour marks an important checkpoint for Argentina’s national team. Scaloni aims to fine-tune the group’s chemistry, finalize his squad for upcoming tournaments, and preserve the unity that took La Albiceleste to glory.

As always, Messi remains the heartbeat of the project. Between Miami and Argentina, the captain continues to prove that his leadership transcends borders — still the guiding light of his team, even in the final chapters of a legendary career.