Lionel Messi returns for Argentina vs. Puerto Rico friendly at Chase Stadium
Lionel Messi rejoined Argentina’s national team and will be available for the friendly against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium on Tuesday night after being released to play in Inter Miami’s MLS game against Atlanta on Saturday.
The 38-year-old legend was granted permission to sit out Argentina’s 1-0 win against Venezuela on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium and play in his club’s regular-season home finale. He delivered with a pair of goals and an assist in a 4-0 victory.
It was an important win for Inter Miami because it kept the team within reach of second place in the Eastern Conference heading into the last regular-season game Saturday on the road at Nashville SC. It also vaulted Messi into a two-goal lead over LAFC’s Denis Bouanga in the Golden Boot race with 26 goals on the season.
Sunday night, the Argentine soccer federation announced that Messi returned to training and would be available to play against Puerto Rico in a match that was moved from Chicago due to sagging ticket sales and concern abouyt U.S. immigration policy protests.
“The match will serve as part of the preparation for upcoming commitments and will allow the technical staff to fine-tune details,” The Argentina federation said in a statement. “Leo’s return generates great anticipation and promises a spectacular atmosphere for this new international challenge.”
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champion, is a favorite to defend its title next summer, when the 2026 World Cup is hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Argentina finished South American World Cup qualifying with a nine-point lead over second-place Ecuador atop the standings.
Colombia finished third, Uruguay fourth, Brazil fifth, and Paraguay sixth. The top six earn berths in the World Cup. Seventh-place Bolivia enters an intercontinental playoff for another slot.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he is using the Venezuela and Puerto Rico friendlies to evaluate different pairings and some younger, less-experienced players. The roster for Tuesday’s 8 p.m. game is expected to be a mix of veterans and newcomers.
It remains to be seen if Messi or Nico Paz starts. Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, Alexi Mac Allister, and Nicolas Otamendi are expected to return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench against Venezuela. Palmeiras teammates Anibal Moreno and Julio “Flaco” Lopez might make their national team debuts. Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez could rest.
Emiliano Martinez is the likely starter in goal, but Scaloni could opt for Walter Benitez or Geronimo Rulli.
Puerto Rico has already been eliminated from World Cup contention in the CONCACAF region. Its roster includes two college players, goalkeeper Sebastian Cutler (Villanova) and Noeh Hernandez (De Paul), and three players from USL club Miami FC (defender Nicolas Cardona, midfielder Gerald Diaz and forward Ricardo Rivera).
It is the first time Argentina and Puerto Rico face each other. Tickets start at $55 and are available at TicketMaster and secondary online marketplaces.
ARGENTINA FULL ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Walter Benítez (Crystal Palace), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille)
Defenders: Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Facundo Cambeses (Racing Club), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Marcos Acuña (River Plate), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Lautaro Rivero (River Plate)
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea-left camp injured), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid), Nicolás Paz (Como 1907), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami CF), Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid-left camp injured), Aníbal Moreno (Palmeiras)
Forwards: Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Nicolás González (Atlético Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), José Manuel López (Palmeiras)
PUERTO RICO FULL ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Sebastián Cutler (Villanova University), Joel Serrano (FC Naples)
Defenders: Nicolás Cardona (Miami FC), Giovanni Calderón (Real Monarchs), Rodolfo Sulia (FC Naples), Sidney Paris, Diego Rossi (NK Istra)
Midfielders: Ignacio Antonetti (Burgos Club de Fútbol), Darren Ríos (Lüner SV), Isaac Angking (Forward Madison), Juan O’Neill (Academia Quintana), Steven Echevarría (Colorado Switchbacks), Roberto Ydrach (Pittsburgh Riverhounds), Jaden Servania (North Carolina FC), Wilfredo Rivera (Academia Quintana), Gerald Díaz (Miami FC), Noeh Hernández (DePaul University), David Marrero (Surf PR)
Forwards: Jeremy De León (Hércules de Alicante CF), Leandro Antonetti (CF Estrela da Amadora), Ricardo Rivera (Miami FC)
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 3:09 PM.