Lionel Messi is one goal away from the South American World Cup qualifying record.
Messi needs just one goal to become the all time leading goal scorer in South American World Cup qualifying. Luis Suárez of Uruguay presently has 29 goals with Messi on 28 goals.
The World Cup winner scored his first goal in the South American World Cup qualifiers in 2007 against Venezuela. He scored four goals during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
During the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Messi scored 10 goals while scoring seven goals during the 2018 qualification. During the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Messi scored seven goals.
Argentina play Ecuador on Thursday in their first match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Their second match is against Bolivia on Tuesday.
The rumored Argentina starting eleven is out and Nicolás González has a good chance to start.
Argentina will play Ecuador in the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday and coach Lionel Scaloni already has his eleven in mind. Per TyC Sports, Scaloni could start the same eleven that started the World Cup final but with one possible change.
Nicolás González has a good chance to start in place of Angel Di Maria and up front, it’s between Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez. Per the report, here is the rumored eleven:
Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Nicolás González; Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez or Julián Álvarez.
Lionel Messi has returned to the Ballon d’Or nominees as four Argentine players have been nominated.
Messi is back in the list of names nominated for the Ballon d’Or after being left out last year. The record seven time winner is one of the favorites to win the trophy.
Argentina have four names in total with Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez and Emiliano Martínez also being included. Here are the nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award:
Lionel Messi Lautaro Martínez Julián Álvarez Emiliano Martínez Kevin De Bruyne Josko Gvardiol Andre Onana Karim Benzema Mohamed Salah Jamal Musiala Bukayo Saka Bernardo Silva Jude Bellingham Randal Kolo Muani Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Nicolo Barella Ruben Dias Erling Haaland Martin Odegaard Ilkay Guendogan Yassine Bounou Vinicius Junior Rodri Robert Lewandowski Antoine Griezmann Kim Min-jae Harry Kane Luka Modric Victor Osimhen Kylian Mbappe
Emiliano Martínez has been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or Yachine Trophy for the Best goalkeeper.
Martínez is a finalist for the Best goalkeeper of the year as the announcement was made on Wednesday. The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper and the Best goalkeeper of the World Cup is nominated along with:
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium and Real Madrid Dominik Livaković, Croatia and Fenerbahce Aaron Ramsdale, England and Arsenal Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Germany and FC Barcelona Mike Maignan, France and AC Milan Yassine Bounou, Morocco and Wydad Andre Onana, Cameroon and Manchester United Ederson, Brazil and Manchester City Brice Samba, France and Lens
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about the team and the World Cup qualifiers.
Lionel Scaloni has all of his players training and held a press conference on Wednesday talking about the team. Here is what he had to say:
“I have decided on the team, it will not change much from what it was in the last matches. We can always have a surprise, especially considering that Ecuador is a good team, with a coach who makes them play well and there are some precautions to take. Based on that, the team may change tomorrow but they will almost always be the same.
“After some time together, we know what we want. But that does not mean that we are sure of anything. The qualifiers will be very difficult, the level of the national teams has risen and we have to continue competing.
“It will not always be a bed of roses, there will be difficult moments and we will have to be more united than ever. Now everything is going well and if it doesn’t continue like this, the group will be able to get through it.”
Scaloni also spoke about Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez:
“I don’t remember if Lautaro and Julián have started together but I wouldn’t have any problems. They would play because, although they are both strikers, they are different. Julian can play further back. Every team has to have a balance and we believe that at times they can play but tomorrow it is difficult for them to play together.
“They are both at a great level and the decision will be made thinking about the good of the team and what one or the other can give us. The best thing that can happen is that they are well and happy.”
The talk he had with the players:
“The talk with the boys was that the past is over, it was very nice, historic but now it’s time to continue. The DNA of a football player and more so of an Argentine player, is to keep trying to win, to compete, which is what we told our players, to keep competing and the way we have been. Respecting our rivals, knowing that now it will be more complex.”
In regards to the new players on the team:
“No one can sleep, this shirt and crest implies constant improvement and we have a good opportunity to continue to be good. The players are doing well, we have a base that has been with us for a long time and we are adding players that we believe can improve the team and make it difficult for the others.”
About Lionel Messi:
“Messi is happy and in a place where they want him. Messi is fine, I see him happy. It is important that the player is happy regardless of the country he is in.
“Messi will play as many minutes as he can play.”
About Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister:
“Everyone plays differently in their teams. Very few play the same as in the national team. Alexis plays in a different position as well. In the case of Enzo, it’s good that he can play further forward. Analyzing one by one, the others play different in their teams and it is good to have those options. I don’t rule out that he can do it with us.”
Lisandro Martínez and if he will play against Ecuador:
“Lisandro suffered a foot problem, he had surgery some time ago and in the last game he felt discomfort. He had undergone tests and he is fine, it will be up to us to risk it, it is an uncomfortable area.
“We have teammates who can do just as well and we don’t need to risk it. In principle, for tomorrow’s match, it’s too soon and we’ll see for the second one.”
Travelling to Bolivia:
“In principle, the same as last time. We travel on Sunday, which is two days before the match. There is no recipe to go to Bolivia, in principle, we are thinking about tomorrow’s match, which is the important thing and then those who are 100% will go as usual, no one will be out if it is not due to injury.”
