Lionel Messi is set to function for Argentina one last time in 2025 before the team begins full preparations for the World Cup 2026. However, with less than two weeks to go before the November international window, Messi has reportedly suffered a major setback. as one of his best teammates in the national team is expected to miss the upcoming friendly.
With the 2026 World Cup just eight months away, 28 national teams have already booked their places, leaving 20 spots still up for grabs. As confederations such as UEFA and CONCACAF continue their qualifying campaigns, the The Argentine Football Association has only one friendly match scheduled during the November holidays against Angolaand one World Cup winner will not be part of the squad.
According to Argentinian outlet TyC Sports, Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez will not participate in the national team for the match against Angola. The report states that head coach Lionel Scaloni spoke directly to the Aston Villa goalkeeper and decided to rest him for this period.
The reasoning behind Scaloni’s decision is to give other goalkeepers the opportunity to earn minutes between the posts. Martínez has been a key figure in this Argentina‘s recent victories, and with his place in the squad firmly secured, the coaching staff plan to use this friendly match to evaluate additional options.
Emiliano Martínez from Argentina waves to the fans.
The Argentine delegation will do that first trip to Alicante, Spainfor pre-match training. They then fly to Luanda, the capital of Angola, where they compete against the host country November 14 as part of the celebrations of the African country’s 50th anniversary of independence.
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Scaloni will give opportunities to alternative players
Although Messi’s participation was reportedly one of the conditions for organizing the friendly match against Angola, Scaloni is expected to rotate heavily and give several fringe players a chance to impress ahead of next summer’s tournament. With Martínez absent, the goalkeeper position will have new competition.
The leading candidate to replace Dibu is Crystal Palace’s Walter Benítezwho has made two appearances in the EFL Cup this season. Geronimo Rulli is also an option, while uncertainty remains over the third goalkeeper spot. Facundo Cambeseswho debuted in Argentina’s last friendly against Puerto Rico, could return, although Scaloni may also want to test another name.
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