China talks cast doubt on Messi’s September‑October friendlies

In a quiet office in Buenos Aires, officials pore over a calendar that marks late September and early October, the window when Argentina could face up to four friendlies. Yet talks with China have resurfaced, putting Lionel Messi’s participation in those matches into doubt.

The autumn international window runs from the end of September through early October, allowing each national side to arrange up to four friendlies under FIFA’s guidelines. FIFA permits a maximum of four matches in a single window, giving federations flexibility to select opponents. Argentina’s squad will have less than a month to regroup after the 2026 World Cup final before the next set of fixtures. Messi demonstrated throughout the 2026 World Cup that he remains a vital cornerstone of the Argentina national team despite turning 39.

Despite the tight timeline, the Argentine Football Association has not yet issued an official schedule for the window. No opponents have been formally confirmed, leaving the calendar open.

Negotiations with China

According to Argentina insider Esteban Edul, Chinese promoters offered a lucrative package to host Argentina for several exhibition matches in Asia. The proposal initially collapsed when organizers demanded a contractual guarantee that Messi would play, which the federation could not assure.

Messi’s guaranteed participation remains the central sticking point, directly shaping the financial structure of the prospective tour. Without that assurance, the Chinese side hesitated to finalize the deal.

FIFA rules require all friendlies in a single window to be staged within the same geographic region, limiting travel to two‑hour flights and ruling out a split between Asia and South America. Although staging the matches in Argentina was considered, AFA leaders rejected the idea due to a shortage of high‑caliber opponents.

Alternative opponents and Messi’s future

Reports from Uzbek media indicate the Uzbekistan Football Federation has scheduled a friendly against Argentina in China on September 30, offering a viable alternative opponent. Since Argentina’s loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, Messi posted a heartfelt message to fans but has not spoken publicly about his future with the Albiceleste. Federation officials hope to keep the Inter Miami star in the squad through the 2028 Copa America, though his participation remains uncertain.