Lionel Messi’s busy 2024 is coming to an end with a losing streak.
Messi, the World Cup champion and Inter Miami star in MLS, was held scoreless as Argentina suffered a 2-1 loss to Paraguay in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Thursday night.
Paraguay’s Antonio Sanabria scored a bicycle kick, while Omar Alderete opened the second half with the game-deciding goal – assisted by Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Diego Gomez.
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez, the leading scorer from the club’s Copa America title run, scored the opening goal in the 11th minute for the reigning world champions. But they were unable to find the back of the net again Thursday.
Messi will play his final game of the year next Tuesday in Buenos Aires when Argentina hosts Peru in another World Cup qualifying match.
“Peru will be a totally different rival, but it also has its difficulties. We are going to prepare well and hopefully we can give the people something to cheer about,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the match.
Messi has lost three straight matches for club and country, including Inter Miami’s losses in Games 2 and 3 of their first-round exit to Atlanta United in the MLS Cup Playoffs. His MLS season ended last Saturday.
It’s just the third time in Messi’s career he’s been on the losing side of three straight matches.
Messi and Barcelona lost the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid 1-0, a La Liga match against Granada 1-0, and the Copa del Rey Final against Real Madrid 2-1 in April 2014.
They also lost a La Liga match against Real Sociedad 1-0, the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal to Atletico Madrid 2-0, and a La Liga match to Valencia 2-1 in April 2016.
As for Argentina, it’s the second loss in the last four games, but just the fifth loss overall in 69 matches for the reigning World Cup champions and back-to-back Copa America winners.
The other losses before Thursday’s defeat:
Messi fired a shot in the 25 minute inside the penalty area, which flew over the net into the stands after it was deflected by Gomez, the No. 1 player on the MLS 22 Under 22 this season.
Messi had an extended talk with three referees as the match went to halftime. He had reason to be upset, hitting the deck at least three times after tough challenges by Paraguayan defenders in the first half. The challenges did not result in any yellow cards.
Messi’s second half was also quiet despite his attempts to help Argentina tie the match.
“We played well in the first half and the first action at the start of the second made things difficult,” Scaloni said of Alderete’s game-deciding goal. “We have to congratulate our opponents who defended very well.”
Argentina still leads the Conmebol World Cup qualifying standings with 22 points, but could concede the lead Friday when Colombia (second with 19 points) visits Uruguay. Brazil is third with 17 points.
Paraguay improved to 16 points with the win, but is behind Uruguay and Ecuador in the standings. The Top 6 teams in Conmebol will play in World Cup 2026, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Check out these highlights from the match.
Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul was unable to convert in the final third as his shot soared over the net in the 69 minute.
Paraguay’s Omar Alderete scored on a set piece to begin the second half to give his side a 2-1 lead over the reigning World Cup champions. The goal was assisted by Inter Miami’s Diego Gomez.
Messi had an extended talk with three referees as the match went to halftime. He had reason to be upset: He hit the deck at least three times after tough challenges by Paraguayan defenders in the first half. The challenges have not resulted in any yellow cards.
Messi fired a shot in the 25th minute, but his shot was deflected by Inter Miami teammate Diego Gomez inside the penalty area. The shot flew over the net into the stands.
You have to see this highlight: Paraguay’s Antonio Sanabria scored on a beauty of a bicycle kick to tie this match in the 19th minute.
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez, the club’s leading scorer during its Copa America title run this summer, found the back of the net in the 11th minute to help his side take a 1-0 lead. Referees initially ruled Martinez offside on the play, but the goal was allowed following VAR.
Paraguay’s Diego Gomez, Messi’s Inter Miami teammate, missed a shot toward the net early in the 8 minute of the match. His shot was deflected and right of the net. Still, an early opportunity for the Inter Miami striker.
Messi’s start against Paraguay tonight is match No. 190 he has played with Argentina in his legendary career.
The match will be live streamed on Fanatiz pay-per-view for $29.99.
The match begins 6:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. in Argentina, and 8:30 p.m in Paraguay).
Yes, Messi is expected to start and captain Argentina in the match.
Messi will be a starter tonight. Here are the Argentina and Paraguay lineups for the match:
Paraguayan Football Association manager Fernando Villasboa wants fans to support the home side in Thursday’s match. He issued a ban for Argentina jerseys, jerseys of Argentine clubs, and jerseys supporting Argentina players on other clubs around the world.
That includes Messi’s Argentina, Barcelona and Inter Miami jerseys (okay, maybe a few Paris Saint-Germain ones, too).
“We won’t allow the other team’s shirt. It’s not a problem against Messi. We respect the careers of all footballers. It’s just that the home ground is very important to us,” Villasboa said at news conference on Wednesday.
Messi scored three goals with two assists in Argentina’s 6-0 win over Bolivia last month. It was Messi’s 10th hat trick for Argentina.
The match also puts a spotlight on Paraguay’s Diego Gomez, the No. 1 player on the MLS 22 under 22 list from this season and Messi’s Inter Miami teammate.
It’ll be their first match against each other in international play.
Messi posted a farewell to the 2024 MLS season on his Instagram account this week, following Inter Miami’s playoff exit.
“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 Monday. “Thanks to all the people who joined and supported us. Now let’s get ready to come back stronger next year.”
Here’s more on what’s next for Messi next year and beyond.
