2x FIFA Champion Mia Hamm Reflects Messi Mania in America
Mia Hamm is not at all surprised by how Lionel Messi has taken America by storm.
Sports Serious, USA Today
Lionel Messi is getting a much-deserved break.
Messi, the 2022 World Cup winner and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, will not play in Argentina’s game against Bolivia on Tuesday afternoon.
Messi was not included in the starting line-up or listed on Argentina’s active roster
However, Messi traveled with the team and attended the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at the Estadio Hernando Sails in La Paz, Bolivia.
Messi has struggled since joining David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami At the end of July.
Messi has appeared in 12 games during a 48-day stretch, including scoring a free kick in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador in last Thursday’s World Cup qualifier.
Messi’s participation in the Inter Miami games later this month could also be affected.
How to watch Argentina vs Bolivia match today?
The Argentina-Bolivia match is set for Tuesday at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT and will be available on Telemundo, UNIVERSO and TUDN USA.
What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?
Messi is expected to return to Inter Miami ahead of their next match against Atlanta United on September 16 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Inter Miami has four more games in a 10-day stretch that ends in September, including three home matches at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — where Messi could come off the bench or leave matches early, depending on his participation. .
Inter Miami hosts Toronto on Sept. 20 and Sept. Visit Orlando City on the 24th and host New York City FC on September 30. Inter Miami will also host the US Open Cup final against Houston on September 27.
Messi already missed Inter Miami’s 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City last Saturday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi scored 11 goals to lead Inter Miami to a 10-1-0 (win-draw-loss) record.
How Leo Messi Moved Towards Resting a Little
Messi, the 36-year-old football legend, Not practicing with his Argentina teammates on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Considering Messi’s recent run of games – 12 consecutive matches for MLS’s Inter Miami before flying overseas – it was exhaustion that called for him to be pulled just before ’89.Th Argentina min during qualifiers.
„The other day Leo was tired and was asked to replace him,” Scaloni said. “But we don’t need to talk to him before matches. We are looking at the trend.”
As Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni noted in a press conference on Sunday, his playing status was decided hours before Tuesday’s game at the Estadio Hernando Sails in La Paz, Bolivia.
How did Leo Messi perform in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador?
Messi delivered in a big way for the fans in his home country last week.
Messi – playing his first game with Argentina since the 2022 World Cup finals – scored a free kick in the 78th minute to lead Argentina to a 1-0 win over Ecuador at the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Messi scored in patented fashion, his left boot finding the left side of the net and Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Calindez going down on one knee after the score.
How will Argentina fare in 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
Argentina is expected to reach the World Cup again.
Argentina have three points in CONMEBOL qualifying following their win over Ecuador. Ecuador finished the tournament with minus-three points.
Due to the 2026 World Cup expansion, six South American teams will qualify directly for the World Cup. The seventh team will play in the FIFA playoffs.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada and expand to a 48-team format.
Reclaim Messi’s World Cup title with Argentina
Messi was superb, scoring two goals and a penalty kick as Argentina pulled off a hat-trick from superstar Kylian Mbappe and France in the 2022 World Cup finals last December.
Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, awarded to the best player in what is considered the greatest World Cup final ever.
Will Messi play for Argentina again in the World Cup?
It is unclear whether Messi, 36, will play for Argentina at the 2024 Copa America and 2026 World Cup, or retire from national team competition before then.
“I don’t even know when. It happens when it happens.” Messi said when asked about retirement during an interview Aired on Argentine television in July. „After winning everything, I want to enjoy the moment and wait for time to tell when it will be.
„Logically, given my age, one would expect it to be sooner, but I don’t know for sure.”
With Messi’s World Cup final expected to be his last at the World Cup, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said in January „The door is always open” for the country’s biggest star.
„Całkowity introwertyk. Nieprzejednany specjalista od sieci. Przyjazny fanatyk bekonu. Student ekstremalnych. Miłośnik piwa. Organizator.”