Argentina will host Colombia this Tuesday at 8 PM ET as part of Matchday 16 of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Ahead of the game, head coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference and delivered the best news: Lionel Messi will be in the starting lineup.
“Messi is in top shape. He’ll start, and we expect him to perform like he always does—there’s no doubt,” said World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni, putting to rest any uncertainty about the captain’s presence. His statement sparked excitement among fans and marked Messi’s official return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the previous match against Chile.
The anticipation to see him back on the field was sky-high, especially following his absence in the last international window. While his surprise substitution in the Chile match raised some eyebrows, many had speculated that the plan was to save him for the key showdown against Colombia—one of the continent’s strongest teams.
As usual, the coach was cautious when asked about the complete starting XI. “I don’t like confirming the lineup in advance because there might be an injury, and then what I said wouldn’t hold up—that’s just the truth,” he explained. Still, he did drop a hint regarding the defense: “With Tagliafico suspended, we’re deciding between Facundo Medina and Valentín Barco. It’ll be one of those two.” This last comment especially thrilled Boca Juniors fans, who are eager to see young Barco get the nod.
Beyond tactical talk, Scaloni also addressed a topic that had been trending recently: the potential departure of assistant coach Walter Samuel amid rumors of an offer from Inter Milan, now managed by Cristian Chivu. “Yes, Chivu reached out—he’s a former teammate and friend—but Walter respectfully declined and will stay on,” Scaloni confirmed. “He’s committed to this project, and I’m grateful he’s staying,” he added.
With Messi ready to go, Argentina gears up for a thrilling clash against Colombia in what promises to be a high-stakes battle on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
