Will Lionel Messi start for Argentina against Colombia? Report provides update ahead of World Cup qualifier

Lionel Messi will start for Argentina against Colombia, head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed (via TN). The two teams will lock horns in the CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday, June 9, at Estadio Monumental.

La Albiceleste have already booked their spot at the Mundial next year in the United States, which makes the tie a dead rubber encounter. They lead the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers standings with 34 points from 15 matches.

Last Thursday (June 5), the reigning world champions defeated Chile 1-0 courtesy of a Julian Alvarez strike. Messi was not in the starting XI for the away clash but came onto the pitch in the 57th minute, replacing Nico Paz.

However, Scaloni has confirmed that the Inter Miami superstar will have a starting role and lead the team out from the dugout against Colombia.

Messi has been in good form heading into the international break. The 37-year-old registered five goals and three assists in his last three MLS outings and was subsequently named the MLS Player of the Month for May.

Messi will look to continue his proficiency in the final third against Colombia and add to his World Cup qualifiers tally. He has six goals and three assists from 10 appearances in the series.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was not in action when Argentina defeated Colombia 2-1 away from home in September 2024, missing out due to a ligament injury.

Lionel Messi's contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of the year. However, he is expected to sign a new contract with the MLS-based side that will see him continue playing into the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina will look to defend their world title at the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

How many trophies has Lionel Messi won for Argentina?

Lionel Messi is regarded by many as Argentina's best player of all time. La Pulga has enjoyed notable success with La Albiceleste and is his nation's leading goalscorer with 112 goals and 61 assists in 192 appearances.

So far, the Argentine has won six major trophies for his country. He guided Argentina to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 and won a gold medal in the men's football category of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

After a long drought, Messi's first silverware with the senior team came in 2021 as he lifted the Copa America. He then won the Finalissima in 2022, before propelling La Albiceleste to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2024, Lionel Messi won his second Copa America.

About the author

Okenna is an football journalist at Sportskeeda. He has previously worked as a radio presenter at Green FM Umuahia for 4 years, and as a writer at Opera News Hub Nigeria for around 2 years. As a successful modus operandi, he strictly sticks to publishing guidelines, double checks facts while writing, pays very close attention to details and prides himself on picking complex topics to write on.

A Chelsea fan, Okenna had his first tryst with Blues in 2006, after fellow countryman John Mikel Obi joined the west London club. He was immediately drawn to the brilliance of players like Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, John Terry and Didier Drogba.

Okenna is a huge fan of Lionel Messi for his exceptional talent. He also admires Jose Mourinho for his achievements with various clubs which proves he's a tactical and disciplined manger as well as a serial winner.

Some of Okenna’s prospective career landmarks include working as an international journalist and covering a FIFA World Cup game live from the stadium. When not writing, he loves watching, movies and reading books.

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Edited by Ritwik Kumar