Overview
- Lionel Scaloni confirmed Lionel Messi did not travel and will sit out the World Cup qualifier in Guayaquil, which kicks off Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Veteran Nicolás Otamendi will wear the armband, with suspended Cristian Romero replaced in central defense by Leonardo Balerdi.
- Multiple outlets report Thiago Almada has been selected to wear Argentina’s No. 10 shirt in Messi’s absence.
- Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez are expected to lead the attack, with some reports indicating teenage midfielder Nico Paz could start as Scaloni tests options.
- Ecuador have already qualified and enter on a run of four straight scoreless draws; the match streams in the U.S. on Fanatiz.