Inter Miami’s Messi and Farías join up with Argentina national team for World Cup qualifiers

Just days after seeing their MLS 2023 playoff hopes slashed, Lionel Messi and Facundo Farías have joined up with the Argentina National team ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifier games.

Inter Miami lost 0-1 to Suppporters’ Shield Champions FC Cincinnati in a pulsating but ultimately heartbreaking game for the home side, who welcomed back their Argentine star to the field after a lengthy absence from the side due to an injury.

Messi joins up with Argentina - will he play?

Messi’s return was not enough to see his side through, as the power from the team top of MLS’ Eastern Conference was too much to handle: Drake Callender’s save was sent out to Álvaro Barreal, who tapped home to give his side all three points and end the dreams for Tata Martino and co.

However, Messi, who has been linked to Saudi Arabia, will have to quickly put his domestic disappointment behind him as he has already travelled to meet up with his Argentina teammates ahead of their World Cup qualifier games. Facundo Farías, also of Inter Miami, travelled with the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner to join Lionel Scaloni’s squad.

It remains to be seen whether or not Messi will feature for Argentina in their games, as the forward has been suffering for a number of weeks with an injury which has forced him to sit in the stands. Granted, Messi did return against Cincinnati but he came on as a second-half substitute, so he cannot be 100% match fit. Ultimately, it will be down to both Lionel Scaloni and Lionel Messi as to whether or not he features for the side.

What’s coming up for Argentina in the qualifiers?

Argentina are preparing to face Paraguay next Thursday October 12 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Five days later they will travel to Lima where they will take on Peru.

Lionel Scaloni’s team have a perfect record after two games played: La Albiceleste beat Ecuador 1-0 after Messi whipped in a gorgeous free-kick. After that, without Messi in the team, they thumped a lacklustre Bolivia side 0-3 in La Paz.