“Messi out of the starting eleven in Argentina’s friendly against Mauritania.”

The Argentine national football team is facing a moment of great expectation and uncertainty as it prepares for a friendly match against Mauritania in Buenos Aires. The event, which was meant to showcase the team’s talent, takes on dramatic contours with the absence of one of the greatest legends in world football, Lionel Messi. This absence raises questions about the star’s future and his participation in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

With instability in the Middle East forcing last-minute changes to international plans for March, Argentina was compelled to cancel the much-anticipated Finalissima against Spain in Qatar, along with other attempts to rearrange commitments. In light of this, the “La Albiceleste” team opted to stay at home and play two friendly matches against African opponents, choosing the iconic La Bombonera as the venue to host Mauritania and Zambia.

News ahead of the clash against Mauritania revealed that Messi would start on the bench, a decision by coach Lionel Scaloni aimed at preserving the veteran player for a summer full of commitments. The Argentine star is expected to enter the field in the second half of the match.

“We want to manage Messi’s minutes,” said Scaloni, highlighting the importance of preserving the athlete’s physical condition. Additionally, the Argentine coach expressed interest in closely observing Nicolás Paz, a young talent of 21 who has been shining in Serie A, which may justify his inclusion in the starting eleven.

But the big question looming over fans and experts is: Will Messi play in the 2026 World Cup? Despite his recent move to Inter Miami and the growing expectations, Scaloni revealed that the final decision rests with Messi. “It’s not me who decides. It’s him, his state of mind, and his physical condition that will determine that. We all want to see him play,” said the coach, emphasizing that Messi has earned the right to decide his future calmly.

At 38 years old, Messi has been dealing with a series of minor injuries, something that seems to be attributed to his age. His absence in the match against Mauritania fuels rumors about his ability to compete at the highest level, but most analysts believe he will be on the field for Argentina’s opening match in defense of their world title.

Argentina begins its campaign in the 2026 World Cup against Algeria, in a match scheduled for June 16, 2026, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. This clash will take place just five days after the official start of the tournament, which begins on June 11. In addition to Algeria, the team will also face Austria and Jordan in a fierce battle to secure a spot in the knockout stage.

All eyes in the football world are on Messi and what the future holds for him. The decision regarding his continuation in high-level competitions could define not only his legacy, but also the future of the Argentine national team on the grand stages of football.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.