The win over Uruguay and the subsequent 4-1 thrashing of arch-rivals Brazil on March 26 at home in Buenos Aires have helped Argentina advance to the 2026 World Cup to defend their title at breakneck speed. Messi will therefore be in a great position to prepare for his sixth World Cup appearance in his career.
This is also the second consecutive World Cup, the Argentina team officially got a ticket to the final round before rival Brazil.
Messi did not play in the FIFA Days in March due to injury. He stayed at Inter Miami to rest and recover. The famous player has just returned to training and could play in the match against Philadelphia Union at 6:30 am on March 30.
In his absence, Messi supported the Argentina team from afar. According to coach Mascherano: “Messi and Suarez watched the match between Argentina and Uruguay (March 22) at the club headquarters. Messi is like a child, he constantly moves and reacts to every opportunity of the match. He calls out to the players as if he were playing with them and says: “Come on, pass to your teammates, no, no, shoot now, go back to defense…” When the Argentina team scored, he was extremely excited, stood up and clapped his hands.
“Messi really wanted to be with the national team during the international break. However, injuries forced him to stay at the club. Messi has been very comfortable recently with the Argentina national team. He talks a lot and always laughs with his teammates, very different from when he and I played at Barcelona before,” coach Mascherano added, after having an open training session with Inter Miami at Chase Stadium on March 25 to prepare for the next matches in the MLS (USA) and the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals in early April.
Without Messi, the Argentina team under the leadership of striker Julian Alvarez, along with young stars Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone who have matured very quickly alongside Enzo Fernandez and Mac Allister, won both matches in March.
Including a 1-0 win over Uruguay (with Almada scoring the only goal). In particular, Albiceleste crushed their rivals Brazil with a score of 4-1 thanks to goals from Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone.
Brazil, despite the strong challenges from striker Raphinha before the match, had a poor performance and could only find a consolation goal scored by Matheus Cunha in the 26th minute.
Argentina has early secured a ticket to the 2026 World Cup, while Brazil, due to a painful defeat to their rivals, has fallen to 4th place in the South American qualifying standings with 21 points after 14 matches.
Brazil are level on points with Uruguay and Paraguay, just ahead of Colombia (20 points) and Venezuela, who are seventh with 15 points, overtaking Bolivia. The Selecao will have to look to the 15th and 16th round matches in June against Ecuador and Paraguay to secure their place in the finals.
