"“I decided that Leo [Messi] would not play. We wanted to try Lautaro [Martinez] and Julián [Álvarez] and had Jose Manuel Lopez on the bench,” Scaloni said after Friday's game. “I thought it was a valid option. In the end, Flaco [Jose Manuel Lopez] couldn't enter the game, so he'll enter the next one. But it was my decision, simply that.”"
"Earlier in the week, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said he would welcome the chance for Messi to play on Saturday between the two Argentina friendlies, but added he did not know whether or not it was a possibility. Inter Miami has qualified for the 2025 MLS playoffs but continues to fight for a higher spot on the Eastern Conference table to ensure home-field advantage in the postseason. The team currently sits in third place with 59 points in 32 games."
Lionel Messi will be part of the Inter Miami squad to face Atlanta United at Chase Stadium, temporarily leaving Argentina national team duty. Argentina called Messi up for friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, and he did not play in the 1-0 win over Venezuela after manager Lionel Scaloni chose other attacking options. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano welcomed the possibility of Messi playing between Argentina fixtures. Inter Miami has qualified for the 2025 MLS playoffs and sits third in the Eastern Conference with 59 points from 32 games, chasing higher seeding.
Read at ESPN.com
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