Argentina will resume its World Cup qualifiers journey today as they gear up to face Venezuela. La Albiceleste will look to add three crucial points against the 6th-placed La Vinotinto, eyeing to retain their top spot in the CONMEBOL table. With just mere hours until the kick-off at the Estadio Monumental de Maturín, the question looms whether Lionel Messi will be playing tonight.

Lionel Scaloni’s side was forced to play last month’s WC qualifiers against Chile and Columbia in the absence of their star skipper. This comes after the 37-year-old had been nursing his tear-jerking ankle injury which the Inter Miami star sustained during the Copa America final. Messi was forced off the pitch just around the hour mark, only later to lift the trophy with his teammates with a bandage-wrapped leg.

Having missed almost two months of action on the domestic front, he finally returned earlier around mid-September. The FC Barcelona icon announced he’s back by scoring a brace during Miami’s 3-1 victory over Philadelphia Union. Since then, he has featured in all the games for the MLS side. In fact, now it’s time we see him don the Argentinian colors as well. Lionel Messi will play tonight against Venezuela.

Whether the 8x Ballon d’Or winner will play from the beginning or come off as a substitute is something that Scaloni will decide in mere hours. Of course, simply because the 46-year-old tactician won’t be interested in sending his star player with any fatigue or a potential injury. The lineups will be out anytime, confirming his presence from the start; but fans can definitely expect him back in action.

While Lionel Messi returns, Argentina grapples with fresh absences!

Messi will be looking to help his side bounce back from last month’s 1-2 defeat against Columbia, who they had defeated narrowly, in the Copa America final. Meanwhile, the Chile clash was brilliant as usual, as Messi-less Argentina secured a 3-0 win. Now, eyes would be on securing victories against Venezuela, followed by another clash days later against Bolivia, even if many big names are out injured.

The return of Lionel Messi couldn’t have been more than a blessing for Argentina. However, in the process, Lionel Scaloni lost a few of the stars he counted on the most. The list includes Nicolas Gonzalez, Paulo Dybala, Marcos Acuna and Alejandro Garnacho. All have been ruled out to face Venezuela or Bolivia and are dropped from this window’s rosters.

It’s interesting to see whom Scaloni will pick. Some surprising names will surely make the cut, which will give the team a much-needed change from the regular.