Argentina (with or without Messi) favored over Venezuela in friendly Friday
The national soccer teams of Argentina and Venezuela enter their friendly match at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night in starkly contrasting situations.
Defending World Cup champion Argentina, led by Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi, is looking like a serious contender again after easily finishing atop the standings in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off in June in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Messi’s status for Friday’s game is not certain, though, as he might sit out and play Saturday for Inter Miami against Atlanta United and then join Argentina for the Puerto Rico match on Tuesday, which was moved from Chicago to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale due to immigration protests in Chicago.
Messi has played the full 90 minutes in seven games during the past 21 days, and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he will not take any risks for players who need rest, especially because this is a friendly and an opportunity to get a look at some of the less-experienced players. Also, Inter Miami’s game against Atlanta has playoff seed implications, so he would be highly motivated for that match.
“We spoke to [Messi], as we have with all the players, and we have not decided on the lineup yet,” Scaloni said at a media briefing at Hard Rock Stadium Thursday afternoon. “We will make the decision after our final training. These are games for experimenting and that’s what we’ll do. I would like to try new alternatives.”
Meanwhile, a deflated Venezuela squad arrived in South Florida under the direction of interim coach Oswaldo Vizcarrondo after the recent firing of Fernando Batista. The “Vinotinto” was routed 6-3 by Colombia in the final qualifying date last month and failed to earn a World Cup playoff spot.
Shortly after the painful loss, the nation’s president Nicolas Maduro called for a coaching change: “All of Venezuela demands a restructuring of the technical staff, a reorganization of the strategy, of the doctrine.”
Venezuela is the only South American team never to have played in a World Cup. The coaching staff will use Friday’s game and next week’s match against Belize in Bridgeview, Illinois, to begin the rebuilding process.
Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia, who scored the first goal for Venezuela in the loss to Colombia, was called up for Friday’s game.
“We’re still sad about what happened, but you have to turn the page and focus on the process,” Segovia said. “It was one of the saddest days of my career. But now I am looking ahead and continuing to work with my [Inter Miami] teammates and will always be available for my national team.”
Argentina has won 25 of the past 30 matches against Venezuela, including a 3-0 victory in a World Cup qualifier Sept. 4. Messi scored two goals in that game, and Lautaro Martinez scored the third.
Scaloni plans to use the upcoming friendlies to evaluate younger and less-experienced players such as Real Madrid’s 18-year-old star Franco Mastantuono and 21-year-old Nico Paz, who plays for Como in Italy. Others who could make their Argentina senior debuts include Facundo Cambeses (Racing), Manuel Flaco López (Palmeiras), Lautaro Rivero (River), and Aníbal Moreno (Palmeiras).
“We’re going to try to see the players we’ve brought in to see how they’re doing,” Scaloni said. “They can get on board and the idea is to take advantage of these matches to evaluate them. Beyond the fact that we have a base, I think they’re great matches to be able to enjoy these younger players.”
Venezuela will also have a younger look. Veteran players Tomas Rincon, Josef Martinez and Salomon Rondon were left off the roster. Kevin Kelsy, 21, of the Portland Timbers got called up, as did 21-year-old Ender Echenique of FC Cincinnati, and 22-year-old Wikelman Carmona of the New York Red Bulls.
It is Kelsy’s third selection to the national team. He made his senior debut for Venezuela last month, coming off the bench in the loss to Colombia on Sept. 10.
Notes: At the end of Wednesday’s training session, Argentine players and coaches held a moment of silence in memory of legendary Argentine coach Miguel Ángel Russo, who died Wednesday at age 69. Russo coached Boca Juniors this season, including at the Club World Cup… Latin musical artist Bebeshito will perform at halftime of Friday’s game… Tickets for Friday’s match are available through Ticketmaster and online secondary marketplaces.
This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 2:28 PM.