Messi and De Paul may miss Inter Miami game for Argentina friendlies

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul face a scheduling dilemma this week as Argentina prepares for friendlies in the United States while Inter Miami has a rescheduled Major League Soccer match the following day. Argentina is set to play Venezuela on Friday, October 10, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with a second friendly originally scheduled for Monday in Chicago now reported to be moved amid unrest in that city. Inter Miami’s league game against Atlanta United is set for Saturday, October 11, creating a likely choice for Messi and De Paul between club and country rather than participation in both matches.

Argentina has been training at Inter Miami’s facilities ahead of the Venezuela friendly, and the national team has kept preparations light for players who logged heavy minutes for the club over the weekend. Head coach Lionel Scaloni emphasized caution in team selection, saying the coaching staff will confer with players and that the "idea is no to risk anyone," calling the friendlies important but framed as opportunities to evaluate additional players ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The relocation of the Puerto Rico match, reported to have been moved out of Chicago because of...