Is Lionel Messi Playing Tonight for Argentina vs Ecuador?

As friendly clashes before Copa America, Argentina will play Ecuador and Guatemala on June 09 and 14, respectively. While the defending Champions will look to hold onto their crown, Lionel Scaloni looks to lock down his playing XI. All eyes are on Lionel Messi as the Argentine skipper joins his national teammates ahead of the tournament. La Pulga has been in substantial form for Inter Miami this season and La Albiceleste fans will be eager to see him replicate the same form in country colors.

While there have been some concerns over his involvement in the Ecuador game, it seems Messi is more than eager to take to the field. Gaston Edul believes, “Messi wants to play all minutes, all games for the National Team. I’ve no doubt that he will start in the friendly against Ecuador on Sunday.”

Lionel Messi has always put on outstanding performances against Ecuador. La Pulga has played against La Tri 9 times throughout his career and 8 of them have been in World Cup qualifiers. Messi has scored 7 goals with 3 assists against Ecuador against the South American side. Notably, he also scored the lone direct free-kick goal during the last outing between the two sides in September.

Lionel Messi not closing the door on the 2026 World Cup

While fans are keen to see Lionel Messi in action during the Copa America, the 2026 World Cup is a different ball game altogether. He will be 39 by the time we reach the competition. However, the soccer vet has kept everyone’s hopes alive as of now. He touched down on the same in an interview with Infobae, stating, “It depends on how I feel, how I am physically, and being realistic with myself”.

“And to know if I am up to the task of being able to compete and help the colleagues next to me. There’s a while left and I don’t know how I’m going to be at that moment. Age is also a reality that is there, although it is a number. The games that I am going to play are not the same as the ones I played when I was in Europe,” the Argentine skipper stated.

Well, if Lionel Messi thinks he’s ready, we don’t think anyone will say no to him. However, it remains to be seen if Lionel Scaloni remains the head coach of the national team. He had previously hinted of leaving but then seemingly confirmed he would stay. Should he step down, it would be interesting to see if the new person in charge would prefer having the aged star on the roster.

Well, the same thing happened with Cristiano Ronaldo after Fernando Santos was let go after the World Cup. Luckily for him, Roberto Martinez has welcomed the Real Madrid icon with open arms.

But it is important to remember that Messi played a huge role in helping the team lift their first World Cup title under his captaincy and getting a second in a row in 2026, shouldn’t be a boardroom discussion if he makes himself available.