Argentina vs Venezuela in Miami: Time, TV, is Messi playing?
Lionel Messi’s status for Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela in Miami on Friday, Oct. 10 is still to be determined. It’s unclear if he will be a starter, substitute or spectator at the match inside Hard Rock Stadium.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said a decision would be made after the defending World Cup champions held a practice session Thursday, Oct. 9.
‘We’ll talk to him, and we’ll decide,’ Scaloni said regarding Messi during a news conference one day before the match at Hard Rock Stadium.
‘Obviously, I’d like to try out a few players, because that’s what these games are for, while always respecting the opponent. We’ll make a final decision today.’
Scaloni also said earlier this week that he did not want to risk any players in a non-consequential match.
Messi spent time with the national team this week in meetings at a Fort Lauderdale hotel, and training sessions held at Inter Miami. He has played in seven matches in the 21 days with Inter Miami since Sept. 13.
‘These are important games for the national team, but they are friendlies,’ Scaloni said. ‘Whoever has a minor problem, whether it’s (Messi) or someone else, we are not going to take any risks whatsoever.’
How to watch Argentina vs Venezuela match?
When is the Argentina vs Venezuela match?
The match is Friday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina and Venezuela).
Where is the Argentina vs Venezuela match?
The match is at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Is Messi playing tonight in Argentina vs Venezuela match?
Messi’s status will be confirmed when Argentina announces its starting lineup, roughly an hour before the match.
Is Messi playing Saturday in Inter Miami vs Atlanta United match?
Messi’s MLS club Inter Miami will host Atlanta United in an MLS regular season match with playoff seeding implications on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano told reporters Friday that Messi is with the national team, and they had not had any discussions about him playing against Atlanta.
‘If he doesn’t play (with Argentina) and there’s a chance, I’d be delighted. Imagine having Leo Messi. But the reality is he hasn’t been with us,’ Mascherano said. ‘The truth is, I haven’t spoken to Leo. Now, we’ll see what happens tonight … but it was never on my mind because Leo wasn’t with us.’
Inter Miami will play its MLS regular-season finale on the road against Nashville SC on Oct. 18. The MLS Cup playoffs begin on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Inter Miami is in third place in the MLS Eastern Conference, needing victories against Atlanta and Nashville to secure a Top 4 seed to have home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
