For the first time since a friendly back in June against Australia, World Cup hero Lionel Messi dons the Argentina jersey. La Albiceleste returns to action for the international break with the first of two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches.
While there is no word on whether or not Messi will stick around for the 2026 World Cup, he'll be in the starting XI on Thursday (early Friday morning in the U.K.) at home against Ecuador and then on Tuesday at Bolivia. Though the rest of CONMEBOL is surely chasing the champs, then first two fixtures should provide a stern test.
Ecuador's bruising physical style is a change of pace from what Messi has seen thus far in MLS with Inter Miami while the punishing altitude at Bolivia on a short turnaround surely won't be easy for the 36-year-old.
The 2023 Ballon d'Or favourite has been in top form, scoring in seven straight matches with Argentina dating back to the World Cup Round of 16 last December. Though hard to believe on the back end of a GOAT career, the ageless wonder has never been better as his seven straight matches with a goal marks his longest streak ever in the white and blue La Albiceleste shirt.
Will he find the back of the net once again? Or is now the time to go against a bloated betting market?
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Messi odds to score against Ecuador
Unless you've been living under a rock for the better part of the last calendar year, you'd fully expect Messi to score anytime he steps onto the pitch. From Paris to Qatar to Miami, it simply hasn't mattered as his sterling form is undeniable.
One would think given his play and public interest, that there would be almost no value in betting Messi to score straight up.
And yet, here we are staring down a match at home against Ecuador with... surprisingly decent odds!
| Prop Bet | Odds (BetOnSports) |
| Anytime | 23/20 |
| 2 or more | 6/1 |
| Hat trick | 25/1 |
Messi's odds to find the back of the net are a touch better than even money. Compared to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo — 13/20 odds via BetOnSports to score once this weekend against the admittedly less stout Slovakia and almost certainly boosted by public money — Messi's odds to strike even just once still provide some value.
Although he was held scoreless his last time out against Ecuador, he scored in his previous three outings opposite La Tri including two World Cup qualifying matches, one of which featured a hat trick.
Funny enough, Argentina opened up 2022 World Cup qualifying at home against Ecuador, escaping with a 1-0 win on the backs of a Messi penalty. He then went scoreless several days later in the altitude at Bolivia.
Lately, Messi's goal scoring heater isn't reserved for just Inter Miami. As mentioned before, he's scored in seven straight matches for Argentina, but it gets even better if you widen the scope. Messi has bagged a goal in 13 of his last 14 games for Argentina, only held off the scoresheet in their 2022 World Cup group stage finale against Poland in that span.
It would not be surprising to see a similar outcome this time through. While it could be a touch much to expect the brace or hat trick, 23/20 odds are juicy enough to pounce on.
SN's Pick: Messi to score (23/20)
