Lionel Messi has already confirmed he’ll miss Argentina’s last CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, an enormous blow for La Albiceleste. And with the staff set to face Ecuador in Guayaquil, Lionel Scaloni’s squad has been hit with one other key absence.
Already certified for the 2026 World Cup with 38 factors, Argentina stamped its dominance with a 3-0 win over Venezuela on Thursday, a match that marked Messi’s final qualifier on residence soil. Scaloni might be keen to shut the worldwide break on a excessive be aware, however one other loss from his beginning lineup may complicate these plans.
Argentina might be with out star heart again Cristian Romero for Tuesday’s match in opposition to Ecuador. The Tottenham Hotspur captain was already on the verge of suspension on account of yellow card accumulation, and after being booked for a foul within the sixty fourth minute, he’ll now be sidelined and unavailable for choice in opposition to La Tri.
With Romero suspended, Scaloni’s choices at heart again are down to 3: Benfica veteran Nicolás Otamendi, Villarreal’s Juan Foyth, and Olympique Marseille’s Leonardo Balerdi. Balerdi is predicted to associate with Otamendi in protection, although Scaloni has reportedly weighed the choice of calling up an extra defender earlier than the journey to Quito.
Stories in Argentina counsel a number of names are being thought-about, together with Marseille’s Facundo Medina, River Plate’s Lucas Martínez Quarta, and Independiente’s Kevin Lomónaco — all of whom have featured in Scaloni’s squads earlier than. With Ecuador already certified, the Argentina boss might also use the chance to rotate and provides minutes to various choices forward of the 2026 World Cup.
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Scaloni and compelled modifications for Ecuador
Regardless of being the primary South American nation to clinch a World Cup berth, Argentina hasn’t slowed down, driving a six-match unbeaten run that features 5 wins and a historic 4-1 victory over Brazil. The journey to Ecuador is predicted to deliver the identical ambition, although Scaloni should modify with out two of his stars.
Balerdi is predicted to step in for Romero at heart again, however the larger query is who will exchange Messi. In comparison with the Venezuela match, potential modifications embody Como’s Nico Paz as a like-for-like choice in Messi’s function, or a shift in formation with Lautaro Martínez becoming a member of Julián Álvarez up entrance in a two-striker system.
