Will Lionel Messi Start For Argentina Against Colombia In FIFA World Cup Qualifier?

Argentina have already achieved qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup because of their impeccable World Cup qualifiers campaign. They have won their last three games in style, even though their inspirational captain, Lionel Messi, has not been able to start in either of them. Messi only played as a second-half substitute in the Albiceleste's recent 1-0 win over Chile in the World Cup qualifier and questions have started mounting on whether he is ready to start for his national team in their upcoming match against Colombia.

Will Lionel Messi Start Against Colombia?

The biggest question is will Lionel Messi will start for Argentina. The last time that Messi started a game for Argentina was way back in November 2024 when he impressed in their 1-0 win over Peru in a World Cup qualifier. With some fans tense about Messi's fitness levels heading into the upcoming clash against Colombia, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has given a firm statement on the Argentine skipper's availability for the next game.

The Argentina boss spoke on Messi's status for the Colombia match and stated: “Messi will start, we have no doubt. Hopefully, the people can enjoy him and the team. Our team is currently at a point where we can play the same way whether Messi is available or not. Before, it was a bit more complicated. Today we don’t have that need, and the team functions just the same. Can Messi and Thiago Almada play together? How could they not? Good players can play together. And when good players play with other good players, they play even better.”

Scaloni has directly confirmed that Messi will be starting for Argentina in their upcoming game against Colombia after having been unable to do so for their last three games. The 37-year-old will look to get back to scoring ways and help his side get another compelling win in the qualifiers.

What Is On The Horizon For Lionel Messi?

Messi will be aiming to improve his momentum with a clinical performance for Argentina in their upcoming game against Colombia. Messi has scored 112 goals at the international level and is looking to further improve his goal record at the international stage, after having scored six goals and provided three assists in 10 FIFA World Cup qualifiers so far.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed a pretty prolific year 2025 with Inter Miami so far. He has scored 15 goals and provided six assists in 20 games for the Major League Soccer giants in the year of 2025. After Messi plays for Argentina against Colombia, he will also be hurrying his way back to join the Inter Miami squad.

The Argentine legend is set to play in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Miami. He will be involved in the opening match of the competition when Inter Miami face Al Ahly in their first match of the group, which also contains Brazilian side Palmeiras and Portuguese heavyweights FC Porto. Messi aims to head into the Club World Cup with a lot of momentum on his side by producing a clinical performance for Argentina against Colombia and perhaps scoring a goal or two in the upcoming clash as well.