Overview
- Coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed Lionel Messi in the starting lineup for Thursday’s sold‑out match at Estadio Monumental.
- Argentina has already secured top spot and World Cup qualification, and Scaloni signaled he may give minutes to younger players with Enzo Fernández suspended.
- Selection calls remain in flux, with Julián Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez to partner Messi and Alexis Mac Allister a doubt after a late arrival; Nicolás Otamendi is expected to be fit.
- AFA organized a pre‑match homage with live musical shows as the night is framed as Messi’s final official home appearance in CONMEBOL qualifying.
- Venezuela sits seventh on 18 points and needs results to safeguard its playoff path, with coach Fernando Batista vowing to make the game uncomfortable for Argentina.