FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi could represent Argentina against Puerto Rico in an international friendly at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
It’s unclear if Messi will start or come off the bench in a unique opportunity to play with his national team at his home Major League Soccer stadium.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said before the match he would speak to Messi about how many minutes he could play.
“I’ll talk to him and if he’s in condition, he’ll play [Tuesday],” Scaloni told reporters a day before the match.
“We’re going to see if he’s fit to play from the start or for a few minutes. I think he’ll get those minutes, but I couldn’t say how many. What I can say is that we’ll definitely see him so that everyone can enjoy watching him.”
The friendly between Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, and Puerto Rico, eliminated from World Cup contention earlier this summer, also falls during the final week of the MLS season.
Messi is expected to rejoin Inter Miami for its regular-season finale against Nashville SC on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Follow along here as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates from the Argentina vs. Puerto Rico match:
Is Messi playing today vs Puerto Rico?
Messi is expected to play. His status will be confirmed when Argentina announces its lineup roughly an hour before the match.
What time is Argentina vs Puerto Rico match today?
The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina).
Where to watch the Argentina vs. Puerto Rico match on TV and live stream
The match will be broadcast by beIN Sports in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. It will also be available to live stream on Fanatiz.
Watch Argentina vs Puerto Rico on Fubo
Here’s the latest on Messi with Inter Miami and Argentina
Messi has trained with the Argentine national team this week as they held two matches in the South Florida area.
Messi did not play in Argentina’s match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 10, opting to play in in Inter Miami’s 4-0 win at home against Atlanta United on Oct. 11 – where he scored twice with an assist.
Messi scored two goals with an assist against Atlanta, assuming the MLS lead with 26 goals and 18 assists (44 total goal contributions) – which could influence him being the first back-to-back MLS MVP.
Philadelphia (66 points) and FC Cincinnati (62 points with 19 wins) are ahead of Inter Miami (62 points with 18 wins) in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Messi is expected to be back in action with Inter Miami for the MLS regular-season finale on the road against Nashville SC on Oct. 18.
When was Messi’s last game with Argentina?
If Messi plays with Argentina against Puerto Rico, it’ll be his first match with the national team in a month.
Messi scored twice in a 3-0 win against Venezuela on Sept. 4 at Mas Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. He treated the match like his final match in his home country because Argentina is not scheduled to host any matches in the next year.
Will Messi play in the World Cup?
Messi has not yet officially declared he will play in the 2026 World Cup, saying his age and health would be factors.
“Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it. But well, we’re almost there so I’m excited and motivated to play it,” Messi said after scoring twice for Argentina against Venezuela in his final World Cup qualifier in his home country on Sept. 4.
‘Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully I’ll have a good preseason in 2026, and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.’