Lionel Messi Back in Argentina Squad for Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers

This is not surprising. In September, Lionel Messi will play two games for Argentina again.

The team, which is captained by Messi, 38, is led by young players like Claudio Echeverri of Manchester City and Franco Mastantuono, who recently joined Real Madrid.

Jose Manuel Lopez, a striker for Palmeiras, was also called up for the first time by Argentina on Monday for World Cup qualifying matches against Ecuador and Venezuela. After joining Palmeiras from Lanús in 2022, Lopez’s goal-scoring prowess attracted the attention of coach Lionel Scaloni. This season, the center forward has scored 15 goals in 42 games.

In the competition’s final doubleheader, Argentina will host Venezuela at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4 and travel to Ecuador in Guayaquil on September 9.

Argentina, the world champion, is leading South American qualifying and has been guaranteed a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

After missing two weeks due to a muscle illness in his right leg, Messi made his comeback to play for his team Inter Miami over the weekend.

Enzo Fernández, a midfielder for Chelsea, will miss the Albiceleste since he was sent off against Colombia in June and will miss two games. Alan Varela, a Portuguese talent from Porto, was chosen instead.