Overview
- Lionel Scaloni confirmed Lionel Messi will play against Venezuela after the captain said the Buenos Aires match could be his final home qualifier.
- Messi enters the window on 71 CONMEBOL qualifying appearances, one shy of Iván Hurtado’s record, with reports indicating he could be rested for the Ecuador trip.
- Alexis Mac Allister will not feature versus Venezuela due to a late arrival, Enzo Fernández is suspended, and youngsters Franco Mastantuono and Nico Paz are under consideration for minutes.
- Scaloni criticized the timing of the planned Finalissima against Spain, citing a congested international calendar that complicates planning and player welfare.
- It is widely expected but not officially confirmed that Argentina will be exempt from 2030 World Cup qualifying as a co-host, increasing the significance of this window.