Sports · Football · 46 mins ago
Argentina weighs captain options for Uruguay match without Messi
Argentina face Uruguay at the Bombonera in a match that begins a new era for the team without Lionel Messi.
Before Messi's departure, coach Lionel Scaloni named Cristian Romero, Lautaro Martínez and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez as the next captains.
Romero and Lautaro are out with injuries, while Emiliano Martínez is in the squad despite a fractured jaw and is training in a protective mask.
The team doctor said Martínez was without pain and had taken part in football training.
If Martínez plays, he is expected to wear the captain's armband; if Gerónimo Rulli starts in goal, the choice is less clear.
Several World Cup winners are possible alternatives, including Nicolás Tagliafico, Lisandro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez.
The sources do not say who will be captain if Martínez does not play.
Argentina will face Uruguay at La Bombonera without Lionel Messi, opening what the article describes as a new era for the national team.
The team’s captain for Friday’s match remains uncertain because Cristian Romero and Lautaro Martínez are absent and Emiliano Martínez is recovering from a jaw fracture.
If Emiliano Martínez plays, he is expected to wear the captain’s armband.
If Gerónimo Rulli plays in goal, possible alternatives include Nicolás Tagliafico, Lisandro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Alvarez.
Lionel Scaloni previously named Romero, Lautaro Martínez and Emiliano Martínez as the team’s new captains.
- Who
- Argentina’s national team and Uruguay.
- What
- Argentina is weighing who will captain the team against Uruguay without Lionel Messi.
- When
- Friday; the article was published on November 12, 2026.
- Where
- La Bombonera, Buenos Aires.
- Why
- Messi is no longer with the team, while Romero and Lautaro Martínez are absent and Emiliano Martínez’s fitness is uncertain.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Scaloni publicly named Romero, Lautaro Martínez and Emiliano Martínez as the team’s new captains.
Mac Allister and Mastantuono took part in training.
Argentina is due to play Uruguay at La Bombonera, with the captain depending in part on who plays in goal.
- Match
- Argentina vs Uruguay
- Venue
- La Bombonera
- Named captains
- Cristian Romero, Lautaro Martínez and Emiliano Martínez
- Absent players
- Cristian Romero and Lautaro Martínez
- Emiliano Martínez
- Recovering from a jaw fracture; training with a mask
- Potential alternatives
- Nicolás Tagliafico, Lisandro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Alvarez
What people are saying
The captain will be Cuti, who had already been one with Leo and Ota. Lautaro and Dibu will be with him.
without pain