Argentina hosts Venezuela this Friday (10/10), at 9pm (Brasília time), at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami Gardens (United States). Messi should start on the bench, according to Scaloni’s plans to preserve the 38-year-old star. The Argentine captain has scored 114 goals in 194 games for the national team, an average of 0.59 per game.
In 2025, Messi has recorded 34 goals and 16 assists in 44 matches for club and country, with 107 minutes per goal. His participation against Venezuela reinforces the transition to the World Cup.
Argentina lineup against Venezuela
Suspended in the last round of the Qualifiers due to expulsion against Ecuador, the experienced defender Otamendi you can play because it is an unofficial game. Some names present in frequent squads were not even called up because they were recovering from injuries, such as defenders Juan Foyth and Lisandro Martínez.
Scaloni himself made it clear that he will use the friendlies to resolve any remaining doubts, targeting some open positions. According to the local press, there is a big unknown on the coach’s mind: the right-back. On the other hand, the goal has a trusted name and the offensive sector, the highlight of the title trajectory in 2022, has gained promising new names, such as young Franco Mastantuono, recently arrived at Real Madrid.
Argentina’s probable lineup
Dibu Martínez (Rulli); Molina, Cuti Romero, Otamendi (Senesi), Tagliafico; Leandro Paredes (Thiago Almada), Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández; Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez (Mastantuono). Technical: Lionel Scaloni.
MORE: Brazil x Korea: Vinicius Jr. paid tribute to Virgínia after a goal scored?
Messi you 2025
At Inter Miami, Messi accumulated 24 goals and 14 assists in 26 MLS games, totaling 38 contributions and an average of 1.53 per 90 minutes.
In all competitions for the club, he recorded 45 goals and 26 assists in 51 matches, with 91 minutes per goal.
For Argentina in 2025, he contributed a goal and an assist in the Copa América, in addition to two goals against Venezuela in September.
