Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi will start Argentina’s friendly against Zambia on Tuesday, March 31 at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires. The announcement ends any uncertainty about the Inter Miami forward’s involvement from the first whistle.
It follows his second-half substitute appearance in Friday’s unconvincing 2-1 victory over Mauritania. For Argentina, the match against Zambia represents the final home fixture before they defend their World Cup title later this year.
Messi Comes Off the Bench, Then Gets the Nod to Start
Scaloni opted not to start Messi in the Mauritania friendly, a decision that drew attention and prompted questions about the 38-year-old’s fitness and management ahead of the World Cup. Messi entered the game in the second half, replacing Nico Paz, alongside Rodrigo De Paul and Franco Mastantuono, who also came on as substitutes.
The second half, however, did not go as planned. Argentina failed to register a single shot on target, Mauritania generated eight efforts to Argentina’s one, and a late goal from Lefort in stoppage time turned what should have been a comfortable win into an anxious finish.
Despite the poor showing, Scaloni moved quickly to put any speculation to rest at his Monday press conference.
“Yes, I think he will start from the beginning tomorrow against Zambia,” the Argentina head coach said. Messi will therefore lead what Scaloni described as a near full-strength side, with the majority of the established core expected to feature from the outset.
A Final Test Before the World Cup
Tuesday’s match carries significance beyond the result. Scaloni has made clear that he is using these March friendlies to assess his options ahead of naming the final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A preliminary list of 55 players has already been submitted to the Argentina Football Association, and the definitive group will be confirmed at the end of May.
“The list of 26 players, I think we are above the percentage,” Scaloni said. “We have to start discarding options now based on performance. There is no other option.”
His comments reflect the growing pressure of selection decisions as the tournament approaches. While several places in the squad appear settled, the Mauritania result added a layer of scrutiny to some of those assumptions.
Scaloni stressed that the Zambia match would serve as the last genuine opportunity to evaluate his preferred lineup before the competition begins.
“Most of the players we know well will be playing. This will be the final test,” he said. “Later, we will make some changes to take a look at some of the younger guys, but the idea is to field our most familiar lineup.”
The implication was clear: Zambia, ranked 91st by FIFA, will face an Argentina side that intends to perform closer to its expected level.
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Scaloni’s Message After Mauritania
The narrow win over Mauritania, a team ranked 115th in the world and one that has never qualified for a World Cup, left a noticeably sour taste. Argentina dominated the first half, with Enzo Fernandez scoring in the 17th minute and Nico Paz adding a second in the 32nd.
However, the second half saw a dramatic drop in intensity and quality. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was called into action three times, and Mauritania’s late goal exposed defensive vulnerabilities that Scaloni acknowledged could not be ignored.
When asked how the players responded to the display, Scaloni offered a measured but pointed assessment.
“It is a good sign that they believe the match was not good,” he said. “It is a sign that the team always competes and that, whether they play well or poorly, they always give the impression of being a cohesive unit. And that was what we failed to do the other day.”
Scaloni was also direct about the consequences of repeating such a performance.
“The players who have been with us for a while hold a slight advantage simply because we know them well. However, they have to maintain that advantage, and everyone knows what happened the other day cannot be repeated.”
The coach added that he remained convinced the Mauritania display was an anomaly rather than a reflection of the team’s actual level.
“I am convinced that the team’s performance level is not what we saw the other day,” he said. “If we see that the team is not quite there, we will look for other options. But they deserve a vote of confidence.”
Messi and the World Cup Question
Beyond the immediate match, Scaloni’s comments about Messi’s World Cup participation attracted considerable interest. Messi, who turns 39 in June, has not publicly confirmed whether he intends to participate in what would be his sixth and almost certainly final World Cup. He played a full part in Argentina’s South American qualifying campaign, which the Albiceleste topped, but has remained non-committal on the tournament itself.
Scaloni indicated that he expects Messi to be part of the squad for the competition, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“The important thing is that he comes and enjoys being at a World Cup, which theoretically will be his last,” Scaloni said. “We want him to enjoy it, because later on, you really miss playing in events like these. I think it is not just Argentines who want to see him. Everyone wants to see him train, see him play, and that is what we all wish for.”
Argentina are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Group J in Kansas City. They will subsequently face Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.
As the reigning champions in 1978, 1986, and 2022, the expectation across the country is that Messi leads the side in what could be a historic fourth title. Tuesday’s match against Zambia offers the first indication of whether Argentina are genuinely ready for that challenge or whether the Mauritania performance signals something that requires more urgent attention before May.
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