Is Messi playing? Time, TV, broadcast

Lionel Messi returns to action with the Argentina national team on Thursday night for a 2026 World Cup qualifier away against Paraguay.

While Messi has not declared that he will play in the next World Cup, he still plays matches for Argentina to help them qualify for the tournament at the twilight of his legendary career.

Messi is expected to start and captain Argentina against Paraguay, which will be his penultimate game in 2024. He will play one more game this year when Argentina hosts Peru next Tuesday in Buenos Aires.

Messi, the star of Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, saw His historic MLS season comes to an end with a first round elimination against Atlanta United last Saturday.

Argentina sits atop the Conmebol World Cup standings, leading South American teams with 22 points, while Paraguay is tied for sixth place with 13 points.

The big plot ahead of this Paraguay match: will the fans adhere to Paraguay bans Messi shirts How to get a greater advantage on the home field?

How to watch the Paraguay vs. Argentina live stream?

The match will be broadcast live on fanatic pay per view for $29.99.

What time is the Paraguay vs Argentina match?

The match begins at 6:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. in Argentina and 8:30 p.m. in Paraguay).

Does Messi play tonight?

Yes, Messi is expected to start and captain Argentina in the match.

What did Paraguay say about Messi’s shirt bans?

The technical director of the Paraguayan Football Association, Fernando Villasboa, wants fans to support the home team in Thursday’s match. It issued a ban on Argentina jerseys, Argentine club jerseys, and jerseys supporting Argentine players at other clubs around the world.

That includes Messi’s jerseys from Argentina, Barcelona and Inter Miami (well, maybe some from Paris Saint-Germain too).

“We will not allow the other team’s jersey. Against Messi it is not a problem. We respect the careers of all footballers. “The thing is that the stadium is very important to us.” Villasboa said in a press conference On Wednesday.

Paraguay vs. Argentina puts Messi against his Inter Miami teammate

The match also highlights the Paraguayan Diego Gómez, the Number 1 player on the MLS 22 under 22 list this season and Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami.

It will be their first match against each other in an international game.

What’s next for Messi in 2025?

Messi published a farewell to the 2024 MLS season on his Instagram account this week, after Inter Miami’s elimination in the playoffs.

“A season ended in which we continued to grow as a club and, although we achieved some goals, we wanted more,” Messi wrote on Instagram on Monday. “Thank you to all the people who accompanied and supported us. Now let’s prepare to come back stronger next year.”

Here’s more on what’s next for Messi next year and beyond.