Argentina will head into their last World Cup qualifier without their biggest star. Lionel Messi has confirmed he will skip the trip to Ecuador and instead return to Miami to prepare for the decisive weeks of the MLS season.
The 38-year-old played a full match in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela but admitted he is still feeling the effects of a recent injury.
While fans expected him to push through for one more international night, Messi has chosen to prioritize his fitness and focus on club duty with Inter Miami.
Speaking after the match, Messi explained: “I spoke with Leo [Scaloni]. He decided I should rest. I’m coming off an injury and, even though I feel good now, we prefer to avoid the trip and another match so I can get ready for what’s coming, which is very important. We’re fighting for MLS – it’s a priority. I hope to be in good shape.”
Head coach Lionel Scaloni also backed the move, saying: “He won’t travel to Ecuador. He finished exhausted. Honestly, he should have come off, but the emotion of the match and our plan for him to play the full game kept him on. He ended up very fatigued, and he deserves to spend this time with his family.”
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Lionel Messi on course to miss out on historic milestone
By sitting out the Ecuador clash, Messi will also miss the chance to stand alone as the all-time leader in South American World Cup qualifier appearances.
His outing against Venezuela pulled him level with Ecuador’s Ivan Hurtado on 72 caps. Skipping this fixture means he stays tied at the top, at least for now.
For Argentina, the absence of their captain is a blow, but qualification is already secure.
For Inter Miami, it could be the boost they need in their playoff chase. Fans may miss him in Quito, but they’ll hope he’s saving his magic for when it matters most in MLS.
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