Argentina making special exception for 'different' Messi after shock defeat

Since September, the world champions have won just one game from four, and were beaten 2-1 by Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier last week.

Argentina also lost to Colombia in September - the team they beat in the Copa America final just four months ago - and went on to draw with Venezuela.

They did beat Bolivia 6-0 last month, and will now be looking for a similar result against Peru on Tuesday.

It will mark Argentina's sixth competitive fixture since winning the Copa America - all of which have been sandwiched between club games - meaning fatigue and a drop in form is perhaps not a surprise.

But ahead of the Peru clash, head coach Lionel Scaloni made it clear to his players that if they want to represent their country, they must be playing regularly for their club.

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"We need them to play," he said of the stars in his squad.

"These six games (in qualification) were very close to each other after the Copa América.

"We opted to continue with the base that gave us the joy of the cup and there was not much time to bring in other players, but from now on we need everyone to play and from there we can decide on the football level of each one.

"As we have always done except on this occasion."

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There is, of course, one major exception in Argentina's squad.

Captain Lionel Messi.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner joined up with his country for the November international break after being eliminated from the MLS playoffs with Inter Miami.

His club crashed out in the first round, where a 3-2 loss to Atlanta United in Game 3 ended their season on November 9.

"In Leo's case, it's quite different," Scaloni said of his legendary forward.

"He always plays, even when he has to rest, but we don't think beyond that. It's important that they have continuity."

Messi played 22 matches for Inter Miami in 2024, suffering a number of injuries that saw him sidelined at different points in the MLS season.

Despite that, he played an important role in Argentina's 2024 Copa America triumph and has consistently featuring for his nation during international breaks.

"Leo's year is the year of a player who has played a lot of games, who has been available a lot, who had a Copa America in between," Scaloni added.

"It's difficult for him to be 100% and not have had problems, I see that as normal. He suffered an injury, but in general he has always been well with us."

Following Inter Miami's playoff defeat, Messi will now have to wait a while to get back on the pitch for his club.

The 2025 MLS season begins in late February, but he remains active with Argentina, and it's no surprise that Scaloni has made a game-time exception for his 37-year-old forward.