Lionel Messi is back with Argentinaās national team after a seven-month hiatus from international duty. The captain is expected to play in the upcoming CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia. However, Lionel Scaloni will need to make some changes to the team, as six key players will be sidelined against La Roja on Thursday.
Chelseaās Enzo FernĆ”ndez and AS Romaās Leandro Paredes are suspended for one match due to accumulated yellow cards, as is Benfica defender Nicolas Otamendi. Juventusā winger Nico Gonzalez is also suspended for two matches after receiving a red card against Uruguay.
In contrast, Liverpoolās Alexis Mac Allister is suffering from a muscle strain in his left thigh. Meanwhile, journalist Gaston Edul reports that Giovanni Lo Celso is experiencing muscle discomfort and is doubtful for the match.
Otamendi is one of the players suspended for the upcoming matches (Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Another player not expected to play with Argentina against Chile is Lautaro Martinez, who is set to join the team on Wednesday. The striker is coming off a 5-0 loss with Inter Milan against PSG in the Champions League final.
Players that could make their debut with Argentina
With qualification for the World Cup secured, Argentina, with a packed schedule, is in a good position to try new players. In this context, Scaloni has called up some young players for the first time: defenders Kevin Lomonaco (Independiente) and Mariano Troilo (Belgrano), as well as 17-year-old forward Franco Mastantuono from River Plate.
Messi to return after not playing since November
Messi, 37, last represented the reigning World Cup champions in November 2024 in a match against Peru, which Argentina won 1-0 with a goal by Lautaro Martinez. However, he couldnāt join the team in March, when they faced Brazil and Uruguay, and La Albiceleste clinched their qualification for the next World Cup.
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The Inter Miami star is in great shape. He has scored 15 goals and provided 5 assists this year in 20 appearances for his club. In his last three matches, he has scored five goals, including two braces.
