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ARGENTINA

Argentina’s possible starting XI vs Peru: will Lionel Messi start?

We take a look at how Argentina could line up against Peru and what Lionel Scaloni had to say before the game.

Kieran Quaile
Kieran Quailekquaile90
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Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (R), midfielder Rodrigo De Paul (2-R), midfielder Leandro Paredes (2-L), and defender Cristian Romero take part in a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on October 16, 2023, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier football matches against Peru on October 17 in Lima. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
JUAN MABROMATAAFP

Argentina take on Peru in Lima in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, with the reigning world champions aiming for a fourth consecutive victory to continue their winning run. The big question on everyone’s lips is whether or not Lionel Messi will start the game.

“Messi is fine, he’s been getting more minutes in training,” said Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni ahead of the game.

“If he’s ready, he’ll play. The idea is to play with two strikers... We’ll decide tomorrow. We’d like him to be there all the time, but when he’s not, we have to make up for the loss. The other day we saw that we can also play well without Messi,” added Scaloni.

Lionel Messi during a training session in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2023.
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Lionel Messi during a training session in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2023.JUAN MABROMATAAFP

Who could play alongside Messi?

If Messi does start in the Peruvian capital, there are two main candidates to play alongside him: Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez. One will accompany the Inter Miami man in attack, while the other will start the game on the bench.

Doubts for Peru clash

Atlético Madrid right-back Nahuel Molina is a doubt due to a muscle strain and, if he is not 100%, he will likely be replaced by penalty specialist Gonzalo Montiel. The other doubt for Scaloni is Nicolás González, who picked up a knock against Paraguay. Molina and González were, however, part of Monday’s session before Argentina travelled to Lima.

Possible Argentina XI vs Peru

Martínez; Molina or Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández; Messi or Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez or Álvarez, González or Ocampos.