Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing for Argentina against Venezuela in Miami?

Argentina captain Lionel Messi will not be in the team to take on Venezuela on Friday night as head coach Lionel Scaloni looks to try new options.

Scaloni has overseen an incredible run of success with the Argentinian national team, picking up two Copa Américas and a historic World Cup triumph. With less than a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, Scaloni is using Friday’s friendly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami as an opportunity to experiment with new players.

On Friday afternoon ESPN reported that Messi will not be available for the game against Venezuela. Scaloni had been tight-lipped about his selection plans when speaking to reporters on Thursday.

“Yes, we’ve spoken with [Messi], as we’ve spoken with everyone. We haven’t decided on the team yet. We’ll decide until late in the last training session,” Scaloni said.

“It’s true that these are games to try out and to see, as I said the other day, and that’s what we’re going to do. But we’ll talk with him and decide today. It’s obvious I’d like to try out different options because that’s what these are games for, while always respecting the opponent, and today we’ll finalize that decision.”

Messi’s MLS team Inter Miami has its penultimate regular season game on Saturday, taking on Atlanta United. Miami has already qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs but the two remaining games give the opportunity to secure a higher seed for the postseason.

Argentina will follow up Friday’s game in Miami with a friendly against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium, the home of Inter Miami, next Tuesday.

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