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Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, remains confident that Lionel Messi jerseys will make an appearance amongst fans in the home section, despite the Paraguayan Football Association’s (APF) ban on rival jerseys ahead of Thursday’s crucial South American World Cup 2026 qualifier.
The World Cup qualifier is set to take place at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, where Paraguay’s APF has implemented a rule forbidding attendees from wearing the jerseys of Argentina, Argentine clubs, or even clubs that feature international players. APF manager Fernando Villasboa has stressed the importance of this policy, hoping to foster an exclusively pro-Paraguayan crowd.
“We won’t allow the other team’s shirt,” Villasboa stated to the local press. “It’s not about Messi or any specific player. We respect the careers of all footballers. It’s just that the home ground is very important to us.”
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro, meanwhile, distanced himself from the restriction, saying, “I had no idea about that. The idea, I think, is just to reduce any potential sources of conflict.” While he admires Messi’s legacy, Alfaro humorously added, “I hope Messi has the best game of his life against Peru-but not tomorrow.”
Scaloni, however, believes that Messi’s impact transcends the boundaries of national loyalty and could still inspire fans to don the Argentine colors despite the APF’s ban. “Logically, for the Paraguayan footballer, for the fan, they all want to wear the national team shirt,” Scaloni said in a press conference. “But Leo [Messi] is stronger than all that, and there will be Argentina shirts.”
He went on to note that admiration for Messi does not necessarily equate to cheering against Paraguay. “It doesn’t mean they don’t support Paraguay. I think it’s good that football people recognize what he is. And it’s not because you have a shirt that you become an Argentina fan,” Scaloni added.
Argentina leads the South American qualifiers, three points clear of Colombia with 22 points. After facing Paraguay, they will return home to host Peru on November 19, further fuelling their journey to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
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