It doesn’t matter where in the world Lionel Messi plays.
He still finds a way to be the brightest star in sports.
Messi scored on a free kick in the 78th minute to help Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 in a qualifying game for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday night.
Messi scored with his left foot, as he usually does, in his first game with Argentina since the 2022 World Cup final. After the goal, Ecuadorian goalie Hernan Galindez dropped to one knee in fear.
Even though it was cold in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Messi celebrated with his arms wide open and a run toward his teammates, who mobbed him. Fans inside Estadio Más Monumental also cheered, even though it was cold.
Messi has made this kind of goal a few times in his short time with MLS team Inter Miami and a lot more with Argentina during his long career.
Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or seven times, left the field before the 89th minute, about 10 minutes after his goal, to cheers from the crowd. He did it again!
Highlight: Messi’s goal in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador is a big deal
Here is the best part of Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador:
How will Argentina do in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup?
Most people think that Argentina will get to the World Cup again.
After beating Ecuador, Argentina now has three points in Conmebol playoffs. The match ends with Ecuador having lost three points.
Six South American teams will go straight to the World Cup in 2026 because the tournament will be bigger. In the FIFA playoffs, there will be a seventh team.
The United States, Mexico, and Canada will all host the 2026 World Cup, which will have 48 teams instead of 32.
How many games with Argentina will Messi play?
Messi will play in two World Cup qualifying games with the Argentine national team this month.
Messi will stay with Argentina after the match against Ecuador and play in their second qualifying game against Bolivia on September 12 at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia.
How many games between Inter and Miami will Messi miss?
Messi won’t be at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday when Inter Miami plays Sporting Kansas City.
Messi could be unavailable for Inter Miami’s match against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 16 if he plays in both of Argentina’s games.
Will Messi play in the World Cup again for Argentina?
Messi, who will be 36 in 2024, isn’t sure if he’ll play for Argentina in the 2024 Copa America and the 2026 World Cup, or if he’ll quit before then.
“Not even I know when. When asked about quitting, Messi said, “It’ll happen when it happens.” He said this in an interview that aired on Argentine TV in July. “Now that I’ve won everything, I just want to enjoy the moment and let time tell me when it’s time.
“Known my age, it seems likely that it will take place soon, but I’m not sure.”
Messi was supposed to play his last World Cup game in the final, but Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni could leave a spot on the team for the country’s biggest star.
Scaloni told Spanish radio station Calvia FM in January, “I think Messi can make it to the next World Cup.” “A lot will depend on what he wants and how good he feels. There will always be a way in. He’s happy on the field, and it would be great for us if he could stay.”
Messi led Argentina to victory in the World Cup.
Messi was amazing. He scored two goals and a penalty kick to help Argentina win the 2022 World Cup final against France 3–3 (4–2 on penalty kicks).
Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup despite Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat trick for France in what was arguably the best World Cup final.
Messi got the Golden Ball, which is given to the tournament’s best player.
What has changed in Messi’s life since he won the World Cup?
Messi helped Paris Saint-Germain win back-to-back French Ligue 1 titles after winning the World Cup, but the club was knocked out of the Champions League in March.
Messi’s last game with PSG was in June, and at the end of July, he chose to join David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami.
“I came here on my own. I wanted to visit. It’s a choice we’ve made over time. We didn’t decide it one day and do it the next. Where we want to be is where we are. It’s something we chose to do. “That makes everything much simpler and easier,” Messi said at a press meeting for Inter Miami on August 17.
“I didn’t really want to go to Paris when I did. I hated to leave Barcelona. In some ways, it was just like a normal day. I had to get used to a place that was very different from where I had lived my whole life. But that is nothing like what I’ve seen here.”
With Inter Miami, how has Messi done?
Messi’s global fame has been on full show with Inter Miami, where he has scored 11 goals in his first 11 games.
Messi has scored in eight games and helped win two other games by setting up two goals. Since late July, Messi and Inter Miami have a record of 10 wins, 1 tie, and 1 loss.
Messi helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup on August 19. On September 27, the club will play in the U.S. Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo.
Inter Miami is eight points behind D.C. United in the Eastern Conference and climbing in the MLS playoff race.
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