Lionel Messi and Nicolás Otamendi are the two leading goal scorers for Argentina in the 2026 South American World Cup qualifiers.

Messi did not score for Argentina in their 1-1 draw vs. Venezuela on Thursday but it was Otamendi who scored the goal for Lionel Scaloni’s team. It was Otamendi’s third goal in the 2026 South American World Cup qualifiers, tying him with Lionel Messi, also on three goals.

For Lionel Messi, he scored in the first match of the qualifiers against Ecuador and he scored two against Peru. For Nicolás Otamendi, he scored against Paraguay at home, Brazil away and Venezuela.

Nicolás González is in third place with two goals. He scored against Bolivia and Colombia.

Both Messi and Otamendi are second in the 2026 South American World Cup qualifiers, only behind Darwin Núñez of Uruguay who has five goals.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni stated that it was not possible to play against Venezuela due to the condition of the pitch.

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina drew 1-1 against Venezuela in Thursday’s South American World Cup qualifier. The match was delayed by 30 minutes due to heavy rain on the pitch. Speaking at a press conference after the match, here is what Scaloni had to say about the pitch and the match:

“It is clear that the conditions were not suitable for the event, it was not possible to play.

“When the match cannot be played, it cannot be played. Today the conditions were not right. We had several clear chances, they tried a lot from outside the area and played long, as the match had to be”.

“We have to consider the conditions, beyond today’s match, of the South American qualifiers. We adapt to all their difficulties. This team always competes”.

“Competitively we are doing well, adding many young players. The fact that they can contribute by being here with us is a joy.”

Lionel Messi spoke about Argentina’s 1-1 draw vs. Venezuela.

Messi was back with the Argentina national team and started against Venezuela after missing the two matches in September. The Argentine spoke to the media after the 1-1 draw. Here is what he had to say:

“The wait to return to playing was long as I spent a long time off the pitch and missed national team matches but I’m happy to be back.

“It makes me happy to go back playing in Argentina on Tuesday. Now we have a long trip back, then a few days to rest and prepare for the match at home.

“The pitch didn’t help us execute what we wanted to do. We didn’t prepare the match this way but we were ready to compete for the second ball and look for a mistake from the opponent.

“I’m happy that I can continue playing and be here again. Honestly, it was very difficult to play this way. The match was very ugly and full of complications.”

With the match delayed by 30 minutes due to heavy rain on the pitch, Argentina and Venezuela would draw 1-1 in a match that was played on a very sloppy pitch.

Venezuela took several efforts on goal in the first half but Gerónimo Rulli made several saves to deny the hosts. Argentina were awarded a free kick and it was Lionel Messi who took it and Nicolás Otamendi was the first to the loose ball and he scored to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni would bring in Gonzalo Montiel for Thiago Almada at half time. Venezuela would get a chance early on with a header but Rulli once more would make the save.

At 1-0, it was a cross into the penalty area and Rondón with a header and he would score to draw Venezuela level. Lionel Scaloni would bring on Leo Balerdi for Gio Lo Celso.

Rodrigo De Paul played a through ball into Lionel Messi but his effort from close ragne was saved by the goalkeeper. Lautaro Martínez and Leandro Paredes were substituted in for Enzo Fernández and Julián Álvarez.

The match would end in a 1-1 draw. The Argentina national team play Bolivia on Tuesday.