Thursday’s match in opposition to Venezuela will mark Argentina’s ultimate residence sport within the World Cup qualifiers forward of the 2026 event in america, Mexico, and Canada. On the similar time, it could possibly be Lionel Messi’s farewell in entrance of the house crowd—no less than in official competitors. With that backdrop, head coach Lionel Scaloni addressed the attacking choices he’s contemplating.
With Argentina unable to depend on Enzo Fernandez attributable to suspension after his crimson card in opposition to Colombia, and Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister possible unavailable after arriving late from England, Scaloni was requested whether or not Franco Mastantuono might make the beginning lineup.
“We spoke with him to see how he’s feeling, and it’s potential he might play,” the coach admitted in Wednesday’s press convention. Scaloni shortly praised how nicely Mastantuono has settled in since becoming a member of Actual Madrid this summer season. “He’s dealing with it in a constructive approach—his coach and teammates have embraced him, and that’s necessary.”
Scaloni then shocked many by including one other identify to the combo for Argentina’s assault vs. Venezuela. “Nico Paz additionally confirmed in opposition to Chile that he’s prepared for this degree,” stated the coach, referring to the Como attacking midfielder, who has been making waves in Serie A and is reportedly drawing curiosity from prime European golf equipment like Tottenham.
Nico Paz has performed three video games for Argentina.
“Each can contribute and be a part of the workforce. We’ll make a ultimate resolution immediately—these are choices we’re severely contemplating,” Scaloni defined. “The one option to discover out is to place them on the pitch, whereas holding in thoughts their age, it doesn’t matter what occurs. These are younger gamers who will give us loads sooner or later.”
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How a lot have Paz and Mastantuono performed for Argentina?
Nicolas Paz and Franco Mastantuono are a part of a wave of younger expertise that has joined the Argentina nationwide workforce because the 2022 World Cup win in Qatar. They’re competing for spots on the squad for subsequent yr’s event alongside different promising names like Claudio Echeverri, Valentin Carboni, Alejandro Garnacho, and Facundo Buonanotte.
Paz has simply three senior appearances with Argentina. He made his debut in October 2024, approaching within the ultimate 17 minutes of a 6–0 win over Bolivia within the World Cup qualifiers—throughout which he assisted Lionel Messi on one of many objectives. He later featured in two extra matches in the identical competitors, in opposition to Brazil and Chile. The latter was his solely begin to date.
Mastantuono’s expertise with Argentina is much more restricted. In that very same match in opposition to Chile throughout the June worldwide break, the Actual Madrid winger made his debut, coming into within the ultimate six minutes. At simply 17 years previous, Franco turned the youngest participant ever to seem in an official match for Argentina.
Messi will probably be within the beginning lineup
In the identical press convention, Lionel Scaloni was requested in regards to the standing of Lionel Messi, who recovered from a muscle harm only a week in the past. Regardless of that, the coach left no room for doubt relating to his plans for the ahead: “Sure, Leo goes to play tomorrow. How might he not play?”
