Lionel Messi and Argentina have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup and locked in top spot in South America qualifying, but Lionel Scaloni’s side are continuing to build chemistry as they host a desperate Colombia side on Tuesday.
MORE — Which teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
Messi’s minutes have been managed and he came off the bench as Argentina won 1-0 at struggling Chile on Thursday. The Inter Miami star is the joint-leading goalscorer in South American World Cup qualifying with six goals and the 37-year-old is still the key player for the reigning World Cup champs. Argentina have largely kept the 2022 World Cup winning squad together as the likes of Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Cristiano Romero and Enzo Fernandez are really stepping up as emerging leaders