Will Lionel Messi play against Paraguay? Argentina prepare for Conmebol qualifiers

Lionel Messi’s availability is one of the big questions facing Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni ahead of the international break.

The 36-year-old has suffered a reoccurrence of an old hamstring issue in recent weeks and missed four crucial matches for Inter Miami. Messi was fit enough to return for last weekend’s game against FC Cincinnati but was only deemed able to feature from the bench.

Messi has been included in Scaloni’s squad for the October FIFA date as Argentina continued their Conmebol qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. On Tuesday he met up with the rest of the Argentina team for their first training session of the international break and looks set to be involved in the matches.

Speaking to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul after Tuesday’s session, Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero said: “Messi left his injury behind and luckily we have him.” Edul also shared footage of Messi in the training session, where he is able to play a full role alongside his teammates.

Given his apparent return to full fitness Messi is expected to feature from the start against Paraguay at Estadio Mâs Monumental.

La Albiceleste are looking to maintain their perfect start in World Cup qualifying after defeating Ecuador (1-0) and Bolivia (3-0) in the first two fixtures. Messi scored a decisive late free-kick in the win over Ecuador but did not make the trip to La Bolivia for the second of the qualifiers.

Messi’s Miami season over

Last weekend’s narrow defeat to Cincinnati, Messi’s comeback game, was the end of Inter Miami’s playoff aspirations for 2023. With other results in the East going against them Miami needed a victory against the Supporters’ Shield winners to have any chance of making it to the post-season.

Miami had chances but failed to find the crucial break-through and the team looked to be feeling the effects of a packed schedule over the summer.

When Messi made his MLS debut in August, with the team rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, few gave Miami any chance of securing a playoff berth. In the end those predictions were proved right, but the scale of Messi’s impact on the team’s fortunes cannot be overestimated.