Venezuela vs Argentina FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Will Messi and Emiliano Martinez play the match?

Argentina National Football Team is back in business as they will face the challenge of Venezuela in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match on 11th October 2024 at 2:30 AM IST at the Estadio Monumental de Maturín Stadium in Venezuela.

Lionel Messi was rested from the national team following his injury in the Copa America 2024 Final and he is back with the national team squad to play against Venezuela. However, Argentina's first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will miss the match against Venezuela as he was left out of the squad due to his 2-match suspension given by the FIFA disciplinary committee. 

Argentina squad for the matches against Venezuela and Bolivia 

#SelecciónMayor Lista de convocados 🇦🇷 para los próximos encuentros ante Venezuela y Bolivia, correspondientes a la Fecha FIFA de Eliminatorias. pic.twitter.com/4XKJJ5BRX0

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) October 2, 2024

Lionel Messi suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle during the Copa America 2024 Final against Colombia. He missed a couple of matches for his club Inter Miami and missed two World Cup Qualifier games in the national crest against Chile and Colombia in July. He returned to play for Miami on 14th September 2024 against Philadelphia Union and he scored two goals and made one assist.

It is safe to say that Messi will start for Argentina but coach Lionel Scaloni can rotate his squad as he addressed this as a tough game. 

Emiliano Martinez was found to be guilty of "violating principles of Fairplay" on two occasions. The goalkeeper was found to have violated FIFA's code of conduct when holding a replica of the Copa America trophy to his groin after the World Cup qualifier win over Chile on 5th September 2024. 

FIFA also banned him for the accusations of hitting a TV cameraman, Johnny Jackson's camera with his gloves after their 2-1 defeat to Colombia on 10th September 2024. Emiliano is banned for two games and that is why he will miss the clash against Venezuela on 11th October and Bolivia on 16th October 2024.

Lionel Scaloni stated about this incident in the press conference:

"Emiliano (Martínez) has already expressed himself very well publicly. I hope it doesn't happen again because the team cannot afford not to have Dibu, even though I don't agree with the sanction."

Argentina is currently at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifiers with 18 points in 8 games, whereas Venezuela is currently 6th with 10 points in 8 games.

Match Details 

Match: Argentina vs Venezuela

Date:  11 October 2024

Time: 2:30 AM IST

Venue: Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Venezuela

Streaming Details

The Venezuela vs Argentina match in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup Qualifiers will not be available for telecast in India. Football fans can watch the live streaming of the match on the Fancode app and website.