Lionel Messi has confirmed that he will not play for Argentina against Ecuador.
Messi will not travel to Ecuador to play the World Cup qualifier. The Argentine spoke to the media after scoring two goals for Argentina in their 3-0 win against Venezuela and stated that he won’t travel. Here is what he had to say:
“I spoke with Leo (Scaloni) and we decided, or rather he decided, that I should rest. I’m coming back from an injury and although I’m fine now, we prefer to avoid traveling and playing another game, so I can rest up for what’s coming next.”
Lionel Messi spoke to the media after his last World Cup qualifying match in Argentina.
Messi had two goals for Argentina in their 3-0 win against Venezuela. That match was his last World Cup qualifying match at home. Speaking to the media after the match, here is what he had to say:
“There are many emotions, I experienced many things on this field. It’s always a joy to play in Argentina with our people.
“We have been enjoying game after game for many years. I’m very happy; to be able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of.
“I have the affection of Barcelona and my dream was to have it here too. Today was the last one for the points here. When I feel good, I enjoy it.”
Lionel Messi has now scored a goal every year for the last 20 years with the Argentina national team.
Messi has now made it 20 consecutive years with one goal after scoring for Argentina in their 3-0 win against Venezuela. Lionel Messi scored his first goal with the Argentina national team in 2006 against Croatia. He would also score at the 2006 World Cup.
In 2007, Messi scored in the Copa America and finished the year with six goals. In 2008, he he had two goals and in 2009 he had three goals with Argentina.
In 2010, he finished with two goals and in 2011, he had four goals. The year 2012, he scored 12 goals and in 2013 he had six goals.
In 2014, he scored at the World Cup and finished with eight goals and in 2015 with four goals. In 2016, he had eight goals.
In 2017 and 2018, he had four goals with Argentina. In 2019, he was up to five goals and in 2020, only scored one goal.
The year Argentina won the Copa America, in 2021, Messi had nine goals and his highest came the year Argentina won the World Cup, in 2022, Messi scored 18 goals.
In 2023, he had eight goals and in 2024 he had six goals.
Lionel Messi had two goals for Argentina in his last home World Cup qualifying match as Argentina won 3-0 against Venezuela.
Messi had two goals and Lautaro Martínez had one in Argentina’s 3-0 win. Messi was emotional on the pitch during Argentina’s warm up and he celebrated with two goals.
The first half saw Julian Alvarez get a chance on goal just minutes into the match but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper and out for a corner kick. Argentina would play the short corner and cross it into the area as Cristian Romero would score but he was offside.
Lionel Scaloni’s team did get a goal before the end of the half. Leandro Paredes would play a pass out wide to Julian Alvarez as he would dribble inside the penalty area, pass it to Lionel Messi and Messi would chip the goalkeeper and two Venezuelan players to score and give Argentina the 1-0 lead.
Nicolás González was substituted in for Franco Mastantuono. Messi played a pass to González but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
Messi would have the ball down the wings and he would play a pass which found Almada in front of goal but his effort went high and wide. Scaloni brought on Exequiel Palacios for Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martínez on for Julián Álvarez.
Argentina were awarded a free kick and Messi would play a pass to Nicolas Gonzalez down the wing and he would cross it to Lautaro and Lautaro Martínez would score the header to give Argentina the 2-0 lead.
Thiago Almada would get an assist. He would receive the ball down the wing and pass it to Messi and Messi would score his second goal of the match.
Giuliano Simeone and Nico Paz were substituted in for Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada.
Argentina would win 3-0 and they will play Ecuador on Tuesday in their last World Cup qualifying match.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has named hia starting eleven and both Lionel Messi and Franco Mastantuono start.
Lionel Scaloni gives Franco Mastantuono his first start with the Argentina national team as they play against Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier. Here is the starting eleven:
Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Almada; Messi, Julián Álvarez and Mastantuono.
