Is Lionel Messi playing today for Argentina vs Panama? Latest lineup update for Thursday friendly

Argentina will play their first game since winning the 2022 World Cup when they take on Panama in a friendly on Thursday.

The South American giants will have a wild home at El Monumental, which can hold over 80,000 fans.

Most of these fans will be hoping to see Argentina captain Lionel Messi in action after leading his side to an elusive World Cup crown in Qatar.

But will manager Lionel Scaloni use his biggest star in a friendly they are expected to win comfortably? The sports news take a look.

MORE: Messi vs Ronaldo goals records

Will Messi play Panama in Argentina?

Messi has been called up to Scaloni’s 35-man Argentina squad for the international break in March.

It means the PSG star is eligible to play against Panama and it seems likely he will start if the World Cup hero gets a chance to be cheered on on home soil.

Argentina’s large squad means Messi may only feature in one of the two scheduled friendlies considering how much football he’s played in the past year.

Messi played the full 90 minutes in PSG’s last game against Rennes and has missed just a handful of club games this season, on top of every World Cup game for his country.

As the 35-year-old ponders his future with Argentina national team, Scaloni may be hoping those games can convince Messi to stay on board for another World Cup cycle.

Will Messi play at the 2026 World Cup?

Before and during the 2022 World Cup, Messi had hinted that the tournament would be his last.

But after lifting the trophy, he insisted that this was not the end of his international career with Argentina.

“No, I will not retire from the Argentina national team,” he told TyC Sports. “I want to keep playing as a champion.”

Scaloni also tried to lure Messi back for the 2026 World Cup immediately after his last win against France, saying: “Messi should have a place at the next World Cup. If he wants to keep playing, the ’10’ will always be his.”

In a speech in March, Scaloni continued to keep the door open to Messi potentially playing at the 2026 World Cup.

“Being at the next World Cup will be Leo’s choice; if his body can take it for me, he’ll be there,” said Scaloni.

How many goals does Messi have with Argentina?

Messi has scored 98 goals for Argentina senior team so far.

This gives the attacker a good chance of reaching the 100-goal milestone for his country in the upcoming games against Panama and Curacao.

Messi scored seven goals at the 2022 World Cup and 18 goals throughout the year – his best return for Argentina to date.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is already Argentina’s all-time top scorer and all-time cap player.