FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUALIFIERS
Lionel Messi “expected to start” for Argentina against Peru: when was he last in a starting line-up?
Reports in Argentina suggest the Inter Miami star will captain his country in the World Cup 2026 qualifier in Lima.
Much to the delight of both Inter Miami and Argentina, Lionel Messi now appears to be over his recent fitness issues, with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner having seemingly come through his cameo appearance in last Thursday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Paraguay unscathed. The logical next step would see him start in Tuesday’s game versus Peru in Lima.
When did Messi last start for Inter Miami?
And that looks to be exactly what is going to happen, with the 36-year-old being tipped to start his first game since a 4-0 victory for Inter Miami against Toronto FC in MLS on 21 September. However, he was forced off the field after just 37 minutes of that game and missed The Herons’ next four matches.
When did the Argentina captain last complete 90 minutes?
Messi was also unable to finish the last game he started prior to that, although he did feature for 89 minutes of Argentina’s 1-0 qualifying win over Ecuador on 8 September, in which he scored the only goal. The last time the ex-Barcelona star completed 90 minutes was on 4 September, when he assisted two goals in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win at LAFC.
Scaloni: “Messi will start if he’s OK”
According to Argentine media outlet TyC Sports, everything points to Messi returning to the starting line-up against Peru. In his pre-match press conference on Monday, head coach Lionel Scaloni refused to confirm or deny his captain would play from the off, with “he will start if he’s OK” very much the message.
Inter Miami hope to end MLS season on a high
David Beckham’s team can no longer qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs after losing their last league game before the international break at home to FC Cincinnati, a match Messi made his return in from the bench.
However, they will welcome their talisman back with open arms for their final match of the season, which will see them face Charlotte FC for a second game in succession. The Floridians have been on a wretched run of form since the Argentine was sidelined through injury and will hope to end the year on a high.
Messi’s domestic season will come to a close on 21 October. Following friendly matches in China in the first week of November, he will be expected to join back up with Argentina for two more World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil later in the month.