Argentina Nears First Post-Messi Era Fixture as November Window Opponents Emerge

Argentina is reportedly identifying its first opponent for the upcoming November international window following the retirement of Lionel Messi from international football. According to South American media outlets, Costa Rica is among the teams expected to face Lionel Scaloni’s squad during the window, though the Argentine Football Association has not yet made an official announcement.

The reports stem from Costa Rican journalist Kevin Jimenez, who indicated that the Ticos have arranged two fixtures in November on South American soil against Argentina and Ecuador. These potential matches come after Argentina’s originally planned Asian tour — which was set to include games against Saudi Arabia and India — was canceled, prompting the AFA to seek alternative opponents.

Scaloni acknowledged the scheduling constraints during his post-match comments following Argentina’s recent friendly series, which featured matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin — the latter serving as Messi’s farewell match at the Monumental Stadium on October 6.

The coach emphasized that available options for the November window were limited, noting that while he aims to schedule competitive fixtures, the current calendar offers minimal flexibility for selection.

The international window is scheduled to run from Nov. 9 to Nov. 17, and Scaloni intends to use these matches as an opportunity to experiment with tactical variations and integrate younger players as he begins reshaping the squad in the post-Messi era, following their runner-up finish at the 2026 World Cup.

In addition to Costa Rica, Uruguay has also emerged as a plausible opponent, according to various regional reports. The Uruguayan national team, under the guidance of Diego Forlan, is believed to be a viable candidate, with proposed venues including La Plata, La Bombonera, or even a return leg in Montevideo. However, no definitive decisions have been confirmed at this time.

Uruguay enters the window following a successful tour of Asia, where they secured victories over South Korea and India but suffered a defeat to Japan. A clash with Argentina would present a significant challenge for Scaloni’s revamped squad, given the historical intensity of the South American rivalry, while also offering the emerging core of talent their first major test in the new era.

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