Lionel Scaloni is predicting there will be Argentina shirts bearing the name of Lionel Messi among home fans despite them being banned by hosts Paraguay for tonight’s World Cup qualifier.
The Paraguayan Football Association (APF) has warned any supporter wearing an Argentina shirt, or indeed any shirt with Messi’s name on the back, will be denied entry to the home sections of the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion.
APF manager Fernando Villasboa said: “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.”
Scaloni, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022 and successive Copa America crowns, dismissed the gesture, however, and said fans would still get in wearing the famous blue and white stripes.
He said: “Logically, for the Paraguayan footballer, for the fan, they all want to wear the national team shirt. But Leo [Messi] is stronger than all that and there will be Argentina shirts.
“It doesn’t mean they don’t support Paraguay. I think it’s good that football people recognise what he is. And it’s not because you have a shirt that you become an Argentina fan.”
Argentina and Messi lead the way
Argentina lead the Conmebol World Cup qualifying standings with 22 points from 10 games. After Paraguay they take on Peru on Tuesday night.
Paraguay are sixth and still relatively well placed to advance to the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026 and coach Gustavo Alfaro hopes Messi will shine next week, and not this.
He said: “I have nothing to do with the T-shirt ban. I had no idea about that. I think the idea is to reduce the margin of a possible source of conflict.
“Messi is our rival tomorrow, I wish him the best game of his life against Peru, but not tomorrow.”
