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Will Messi play in the match against Uzbekistan?

**Could Messi play in the match against Uzbekistan?**

Argentina national team officials have resumed talks to play matches in China amid uncertainty over captain Lionel Messi's international friendly participation.

FIFA rules allow national teams to play up to four friendlies during the autumn international break in late September and early October. However, with less than a month to go until the next training camp after the 2026 World Cup finals, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has yet to officially confirm any matches.

ESPN Argentina insider Esteban Edul reports that Chinese promoters have made Argentina a large financial offer to play several friendlies in Asia. However, the organizers demanded a clause in the contract guaranteeing Messi's participation in those matches. The initial deal fell through because the AFA was unable to provide such a guarantee.

FIFA rules require that friendlies during an international break be held in the same geographical area and that the teams' flight time between matches should not exceed two hours. Therefore, it is not possible to split the matches between Asia and South America. The option of holding all matches in Argentina was also considered, but the AFA leadership rejected this proposal due to the lack of high-level opponents.

According to Edul, the AFA has resumed negotiations with Chinese representatives on holding several friendlies against China and other teams in the region. The issue of guaranteeing Messi's participation in the matches remains the main obstacle in the negotiations. This requirement also directly affects the financial terms of the planned tour.

Messi sent a heartfelt message to the fans after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, but has yet to give any details about his future with the Albiceleste. The AFA hopes to keep the striker in the national team until the 2028 Copa America. However, whether Messi will wear the Argentina jersey again is a decision only the Inter Miami forward himself knows for now.

**Will Argentina play Uzbekistan in China?**

The determination of opponents for the upcoming international break has become a serious problem for teams around the world. With European national teams busy with matches in the Nations League, the range of potential opponents for Argentina has narrowed significantly. Therefore, the option of a possible match against the Uzbekistan national team has arisen. However, some details have not yet been officially confirmed.

It was previously reported that the White Wolves could play a friendly match against Argentina in China on September 30. The UFA and AFA have not yet officially confirmed this information. However, holding the match in China is in line with the Argentine national team's plans for the Asian tour and the established geographical requirements.

For information, the national team, led by Fabio Cannavaro, will play against Iran in Fergana on September 24 and against Korea Republic on October 6.

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