Lionel Messi called up by Argentina for 2 matches during break in MLS Cup Playoffs

Lionel Messi is on Argentina's roster for a pair of 2026 World Cup qualifying matches later this month. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni called up 28 players Tuesday for a FIFA international window that falls between the MLS Cup Playoffs first round and the conference finals.

Messi will lead Inter Miami for a must-win playoff game Saturday at 8 p.m. ET against visiting Atlanta United. The first-round series is tied 1-1 between top-seeded Miami and No. 9 Atlanta. The winner advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals, which begin Nov. 23.

Argentina's matches fall right in between: a trip to Paraguay at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 and a home match against Peru in Buenos Aires at 7 p.m. Nov. 19.

The latter could be the second time Messi plays in his home country this year, following his hat-trick performance with two assists in a 6-0 rout of Bolivia Oct. 15.

The quick turnaround from the second Argentina match could affect Messi’s practice and playing time for the MLS playoffs. Inter Miami coach Tata Martino will address reporters Friday.

The winner of the Inter Miami-Atlanta series will face the winner from No. 4 Orlando City and No. 5 Charlotte, which will also play a Game 3 to decide their series on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.

Following the conference semifinals on Nov. 23-24, the conference finals will be played Nov. 30-Dec. 1. The MLS Cup final is Dec. 7.

Messi and Inter Miami are considered the favorites to win MLS Cup and cap a historic campaign, during which they won the Supporters’ Shield and set the league points record (74) for the best regular-season record.

Messi has been held scoreless with just one assist in the first two MLS playoff games of his career. Messi’s assist helped Inter Miami beat Atlanta 2-1 in Game 1, while Atlanta won the second match 2-1.

While Messi is helping Argentina qualify for the next World Cup, he remains non-committal about playing in the tournament for the sixth time in his career. Messi will be 39 when the United States, Canada and Mexico jointly host the World Cup.

“I don't know. They ask me a lot, especially in Argentina,” Messi said during a recent interview with 433, a soccer content creation company. “I hope to finish this year well, and start the year having a good preseason, which I didn't have last year due to all the trips we had.

“From there, I will see how I am doing and feeling. We are close, but at the same time it's a lot of time and anything can happen in football. I don't think [about it. I’m] simply living the day to day without thinking beyond.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lionel Messi called up by Argentina during break in MLS Cup Playoffs