Argentina vs Venezuela Lineups: Confirmed Starting XI

Lionel Messi’s international future fueled speculation before Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela, with conflicting reports about his playing time. The match at Hard Rock Stadium delivered a definitive 3-1 victory and more questions about the captain’s next move.

Match: Argentina vs Venezuela ·
Date: 11 October 2025 ·
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens ·
Argentina Formation: 4-4-2 ·
Venezuela Formation: 4-4-2 ·
Result: Argentina 3-1

Here are the key details from the match sheet:

Who scored for Argentina vs Venezuela?

Goal Scorers

Lionel Messi led Argentina with a brace, scoring the opening goal and the third goal in a 3-1 victory. Lautaro Martínez netted the second goal for the home side. The goals were confirmed by World Soccer Talk and worldfootball.net.

Match Summary

The match, played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, saw Argentina dominate possession and create several chances. Venezuela managed a consolation goal but could not contain Messi’s brilliance. The final score of 3-1 was widely reported by Sports Illustrated and Bolavip.

Is Messi in the 2026 World Cup squad?

Messi’s World Cup Future

Messi has not officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 World Cup. The Sporting News reported that he was included in the roster for the Miami friendly but was not expected to play the full 90 minutes, leaving his long-term plans open. Other outlets, like World Soccer Talk, stated that Messi would not play at all against Venezuela, further fuelling speculation about his international career.

Current Argentina Squad

Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been strong. The squad for this friendly included several regular starters, with Lionel Scaloni rotating to test depth. The CONMEBOL qualification table shows Argentina comfortably on track for a 2026 berth, according to worldfootball.net.

The implication: Scaloni’s squad management suggests Argentina can qualify even while managing Messi’s minutes, but the captain’s presence remains irreplaceable in knockout stages.

Is it Messi’s last game?

Messi’s International Career

Speculation that the Venezuela friendly could be Messi’s last match for Argentina has been circulating. No official announcement has been made, and Sports Illustrated noted that pre-match talks centered on his legacy rather than retirement.

Retirement Speculation

Messi has stated in the past that he intends to play until the 2026 World Cup, but the friendly in Miami—held in a neutral venue—prompted many to wonder if he was saying a quiet goodbye. World Soccer Talk pointed out that his absence from the starting XI raised eyebrows, but it may simply have been load management.

The implication: Until Messi himself says otherwise, every match could be his last—but the evidence points to him continuing.

Who is best, Brazil or Argentina?

Head-to-Head Record

Argentina are the reigning World Cup champions (2022), while Brazil have won the tournament five times, more than any other nation. worldfootball.net data shows that Argentina have had the upper hand in recent CONMEBOL qualifiers, beating Venezuela 3-0 in a previous meeting.

Current Form

Argentina have lost only one of their last 20 competitive fixtures. Brazil, while still a powerhouse, have struggled for consistency in the current qualifying cycle. The debate often comes down to titles vs. peak form.

Major Titles

World Cup count: Brazil 5, Argentina 3. Copa América titles: Argentina 16, Brazil 9. The head-to-head in all competitions is closely contested, but Argentina have won the last two encounters.

The pattern: Brazil’s historical edge in World Cups is offset by Argentina’s current dominance and recent trophy haul.

Is Leo Messi a billionaire?

Messi’s Net Worth

Multiple sources estimate Messi’s net worth at over $1 billion. Sports Illustrated referenced his endorsement deals with brands like Adidas and his ownership of a hotel chain. The Sporting News also noted that his salary at Inter Miami contributes significantly to his wealth.

Income Sources

His primary income streams include his MLS salary, performance bonuses, endorsements (including a lifetime deal with Adidas), and investments in real estate and sports ventures. While the exact figure is private, he is widely considered a billionaire by Bolavip and other financial outlets.

Argentina and Venezuela have met multiple times recently. Here’s a look at the key details:

The trend is clear: Argentina have dominated recent encounters, with Venezuela struggling to contain their attack.

Timeline

• 10 Oct 2025: Lineups confirmed (Sports Illustrated)
• 11 Oct 2025 00:00 UTC: Match kickoff
• 11 Oct 2025: Argentina wins 3-1

Confirmed facts

• Messi scored twice (World Soccer Talk)
• Argentina won 3-1 (Sports Illustrated)
• Both teams used 4-4-2 (World Soccer Talk)
• Argentina’s XI included Emiliano Martínez, Molina, Romero, and others (World Soccer Talk)
• Venezuela’s XI included Contreras, Aramburu, Milani (World Soccer Talk)

What’s unclear

• Whether Messi will play in the 2026 World Cup (The Sporting News)
• If this was Messi’s last international game
• Messi’s exact net worth (Sports Illustrated)

Quotes from the match buildup

“Lionel Messi was included in Argentina’s roster for the Miami match but was expected not to play the full 90 minutes.”

The Sporting News

“A separate report said Lionel Messi would not play for Argentina vs. Venezuela on Friday night.”

World Soccer Talk

The contradiction between these two reports encapsulates the uncertainty surrounding Messi’s present and future. For Argentina fans, the hope is that he continues; for Venezuela, the relief that he might not.

Frequently asked questions

The concrete consequence for Argentina: if Messi does retire from international football, Scaloni must accelerate building a post-Messi squad—whether that transition is gradual or abrupt.

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