Argentina national team dey prepare for friendly match against Mauritania for La Bombonera stadium for Buenos Aires on Friday, March 27, 2026. The match na part of their preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup wey go hold for United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni don confirm say Lionel Messi go play for the match, but the captain no go start for the first eleven. According to reports from Argentina insiders like Gaston Edul, the decision na for load management reasons. The coaching staff wan protect Messi from unnecessary physical strain as the World Cup dey approach.
Scaloni talk say, “Leo is going to play. I don’t know if he’ll start in this match or the other, but he will be in both. As a bonus, for Argentines to have Messi for two more matches, when we thought he wouldn’t play anymore, it’s a beautiful opportunity for everyone to see and enjoy.”
The match against Mauritania replace the cancelled Finalissima against Spain wey suppose hold for Qatar. The cancellation happen because of conflict for Middle East. Argentina get another friendly match against Zambia for Tuesday as part of this international window.
Messi, wey go turn 39 during the World Cup, still never decide if he go play for the tournament. If he play, e go be his record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance. He don already make 26 appearances for World Cup competitions and score 13 goals, more than any other Argentina player.
Scaloni talk about Messi World Cup decision say, “That’s a question more for him. As far as I’m concerned, you already know where I stand. I’ll do everything I can to make sure he’s there. I believe that, for the sake of football, he has to be there.”
The coach add say, “It’s not me who decides. It’s up to him, his state of mind, his physical condition. It’s difficult because it is not just the Argentinians who want to see him; everyone wants to see him.”
Argentina dey defend their World Cup title wey dem win for Qatar 2022. For this friendly against Mauritania, Scaloni say he wan use the opportunity to check some players wey dey for fringe of the squad. Some key players like Lautaro MartÃnez and Giovani Lo Celso no dey available because of injury.
Mauritania, wey FIFA rank dem as number 115 for world, never win any match for their last six games. Their last victory come more than two years ago against Togo for CAF qualifying matches. Their coach Aritz López Garai talk say this match na once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for his team because Mauritania never play against any South American nation before.
The match go hold by 7:15 p.m. ET and fans fit watch am on beIN Sports and ViX streaming platforms. Argentina enter as massive favorites for the exhibition match wey many people expect go end with Argentina win.
Scaloni talk say he dey use this international window to help players wey dey struggle for form for their clubs recover their performance levels. The Argentina squad go cut down to 26 players for the final World Cup roster, and these friendlies go help determine who make the final list.
Messi current club na Inter Miami for Major League Soccer. He join the MLS side after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. Despite his age, Messi still dey perform at high level and remain important player for both club and country.
Argentina first World Cup group match go be against Algeria for June 16 for Group J. They go also face Austria and Jordan for the group stage. The tournament proper go start on June 12 with Argentina first match five days later.
For the Mauritania match, Scaloni plan to field what he call “a mix of boys we want to see” to help some players recover their form. The coach emphasize say whatever decision Messi take about World Cup participation, the team go respect am because Messi don earn the right to make that decision with peace of mind.
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