Scaloni: Club minutes rule doesn't apply to Messi

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni usually demands that individuals regularly feature for their club to be considered for the national team, before emphasizing Lionel Messi‘s case is “different.”

Those comments came on Monday, a day ahead of Argentina’s Conmebol World Cup qualifier against Peru and four days after Argentina fell 2-1 to Paraguay at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco, just the second loss for Scaloni’s side during the qualification cycle.

“We need them to play,” Scaloni said of players 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.

“In Leo’s case, it’s a quite different case. He always plays, even when he has to rest, but we don’t think beyond that. It’s important that they have continuity.”

Messi entered the November international window after being eliminated from the Major League Soccer playoffs with Inter Miami CF in the first round, after a 3-2 loss Atlanta United FC in Game 3 ended the Supporters’ Shield winners’ season on Nov. 9.

Messi played a total of 22 matches for Inter Miami in 2024, after suffering several injury spells that saw the captain sidelined at different points in the season. Despite his limited involvement, the forward recorded 21 goals and 11 assists to earn an 2024 MLS MVP nomination and tie for third in the Golden Boot race.

“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 América 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.”

Messi played a pivotal role in Argentina’s 2024 Copa América triumph, while consistently featuring for La Albiceleste during international breaks. He managed one goal and one assist during the summer tournament, and has tallied six goals and two assists during the current World Cup qualifying cycle.

Though the forward must now wait until preseason begins to see time on the pitch again with Inter Miami — the 2025 MLS season begins in late February — he remains active with Argentina.

Argentina host Peru on Tuesday night in the final match of the November window at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.