Messi and the World Cup champions will be on the road playing against Chile at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile.
It’s unclear whether Messi will start or come off the bench, Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni said Wednesday.
Argentina has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and could use this match to play several young players on its roster. Several players are also suspended or won’t play to rest after long seasons.
Knowing it’s one of the few times Messi will wear his Argentina jersey this year, expect to see him in action representing his beloved home country.
When is the Chile vs. Argentina match?
Chile will host Argentina on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET (10 p.m. in Argentina).
How to watch Chile vs. Argentina match on TV and live stream?
The match will be broadcast by TYC Sports Internacional USA on DirecTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV and Fubo. Fanatiz also has a pay-per-view live stream available.
Here’s a link to watch the match on Fubo.
Is Messi playing tonight in Chile?
Messi’s status as a starter or substitute will be confirmed when Argentina announces its starting lineup for the match.
What did Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni say about Messi?
‘We haven’t decided yet whether he’ll start the game or not. I need to talk to him, especially because it would be good to know how he’s feeling physically. We’ve talked about a lot of things, but not about this specifically,’ Scaloni said about Messi Wednesday.
‘We’re in a position where we can try other things, and in principle, he’s available to play. We’ll see. He had a good game last Saturday, so this guy is ready to play. We’ll decide how he is.’
How fit is Lionel Messi before Argentina match in Chile?
Messi, 37, is coming off one of his best stretches in 2025, scoring five goals in his last three matches with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. He was named MLS Player of the Month after seven goals and four assists in seven matches in May. He scored two goals with three assists in Inter Miami’s 5-1 win against Columbus Crew last Saturday.
When was the last time Messi played with Argentina?
Messi last played with the national team in November: He was scoreless as Argentina lost 2-1 to Paraguay on Nov. 14, 2024, and had the assist to Lautaro Martinez in a 1-0 win over Peru on Nov. 19, 2024.
Playing with Argentina before the MLS Cup playoffs last year, Messi was scoreless in a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Oct. 11, 2024, then exploded with a hat trick and two assists in a 6-0 victory over Bolivia on Oct. 15, 2024.
Lionel Messi’s upcoming schedule with Argentina, Inter Miami
- June 10: Argentina vs. Colombia, 8 p.m. ET (World Cup qualifying)
- June 14: Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly, 8 p.m. ET (Club World Cup in Miami)
- June 19: Inter Miami vs FC Porto, 3 p.m. ET (Club World Cup in Atlanta)
- June 23: Inter Miami vs. Palmerias, 9 p.m. ET (Club World Cup in Miami)