Messi to miss FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match against Ecuador
Messi to miss FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match against Ecuador
Argentina forward and captain Lionel Messi has confirmed that he will miss the next FIFA World Cup Qualifiers game against Ecuador on September 10.
Following the win against Venezuela, Messi said: “I spoke with Leo (Scaloni) and we decided, or rather he decided, that I should rest. I’m coming back from an injury and although I’m fine now, we prefer to avoid travelling and playing another game, so I can rest up for what’s coming next.”
The Inter Miami star will not travel with the squad to Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo in Guayaquil, which will play host to the fixture.
Messi scored twice Thursday in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela in front of a raucous sellout crowd that had gathered at estadio Monumental to bid him farewell.
“Being able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of,” Messi said. “I’ve experienced a lot of things on this pitch, both good and not so good, but it’s always a joy to play in Argentina, in front of our fans.”
Messi is yet to give any clues about when he will retire from the top level of the sport. But the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup will begin in 2027, when he’s 40.
The Argentina captain scored in the 39th and 80th minutes, and Lautaro Martinez added a goal in the 76th.
Messi now has 36 goals in South American World Cup qualifiers and remains as the all-time scoring leader. His Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez has 29 goals in continental qualifying, but he has retired from Uruguay’s national team. Bolivia’s Marcelo Moreno Martins is third with 22.
(With inputs from AP)
Published on Sep 05, 2025
