The Argentina national team, playing without Lionel Messi, beat Venezuela 1-0 on Friday in a friendly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Messi was at the stadium watching the match from the stands with his family.

“I decided that Leo [Messi] would not play,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

“We wanted to try Lautaro [Martinez] and Julian [Alvarez] and had Jose Manuel Lopez on the bench. I thought it was a valid option. In the end, Flaco [Jose Manuel Lopez] couldn’t enter the game, so he’ll enter the next one. But it was my decision, simply that.”

Despite his absence, La Albiceleste triumphed against Venezuela with a lone goal by Giovani Lo Celso after connecting with teammate Lautaro Martínez to find the back of the net. Argentina managed to dominate in the final third to record 19 shots, 11 on target, against the South American rival.

When asked if Messi would be available to feature in the team’s upcoming friendly against Puerto Rico on October 14, Scaloni remained hopeful.

“Let’s hope Messi can be there on Tuesday, we’ll see how things unfold in the coming days.”

Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul began the game on the bench for Argentina, substituting in the second half for Atlético Madrid star Julián Álvarez.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano, however, welcomed the opportunity to see Messi play with the club when facing Atlanta United at Chase Stadium on Saturday night in a regular-season Major League Soccer match, just one day after Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela, before insisting he had not spoken to the player about his involvement.

“I’d love it. Imagine being able to have Leo Messi, but the reality is he hasn’t been with us, and I’ll repeat this because we’re talking about Leo,” said Mascherano. “But there’s Rodrigo [De Paul], there’s Telasco, yes…Messi can play at any time, obviously. The issue afterward is that I can’t talk to you about something that’s counterfactual because he’s not with us, and the truth is, I haven’t spoken to Leo. I haven’t spoken to Leo. Now we’ll see tonight what happens.”

Though Inter Miami already qualified for the 2025 MLS playoffs, the team continues to aim for a higher place on the Eastern Conference table to ensure home-field advantage in the post-season.

Argentina added that Franco Mastantuono would miss the remainder of the camp due to a left thigh injury.

Pakistani mountaineer Asad Ali Memon has etched his name in history by successfully summiting the highest peaks across all seven continents, completing the prestigious Seven Summits challenge.

Asad achieved the final milestone by conquering the Carstensz Pyramid, the tallest mountain in Oceania, located on New Guinea Island, marking the culmination of a seven-year journey that took him from the icy slopes of Antarctica to the rugged ranges of Asia.

In a heartfelt message from the summit, Asad shared his joy:

“I am standing on the highest peak of the seventh continent. The mission that began seven years ago is now complete.

I have raised my flag and proudly say — Pakistan Zindabad!”

He expressed deep gratitude to his supporters, saying that completing the Seven Summits had been a lifelong dream, and pledged to continue taking Pakistan’s flag to new heights through future expeditions.

“I request everyone to keep supporting future Pakistani climbers the same way you supported me,” he added.

Asad’s accomplishment marks a proud moment for Pakistan’s mountaineering community, symbolising national resilience and ambition on the global stage.