No Messi, Scaloni names rotated XI for Ecuador clash | OneFootball

The Argentinian National Team visits Ecuador at 8 PM at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil, for the 18th round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Knowing that Lionel Messi will not be part of the match (he was given a well-deserved rest and returned to Inter Miami), coach Lionel Scaloni will field an alternative team with a couple of changes and will bet on other players who are eager to play and did not start in the 3-0 thrashing against Venezuela at the Monumental.

Thinking about the visit to Sebastián Beccacece's Tri, Lautaro Martínez will be in the starting eleven. The Bull came on in the second half against the Vinotinto and scored the partial 2-0.

There are also adjustments in defense. Cuti Romero is not part of the trip to Quito because he is suspended after being booked in the last round. To replace him, Leonardo Balerdi will step in, seeking to establish himself as a backup option. Additionally, Nahuel Molina will rest, and Gonzalo Montiel will take his place, while Nicolás Tagliafico returns to the starting lineup.

Why Lionel Messi is not playing in Argentina vs. Ecuador

In attack, besides Messi, Franco Mastantuono will be out of the starting lineup. Lautaro Martínez will start, while Giuliano Simeone won the spot over Julián Álvarez. Meanwhile, Nicolás González had a good performance against Ecuador and will start in place of Mastantuono. Thiago Almada, who had a great game at the Monumental, has a minor strain, his presence was in doubt until the last moment, and the national strategist will opt to rest him, allowing Alexis Mac Allister to take his place.

The lineup of the Argentinian National Team vs. Ecuador

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.