Puerto Rico will face world and Copa América champions Argentina in a friendly international on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, USA. The fixture was moved from Chicago’s Soldier Field due to low ticket sales and ongoing protests. The Chicago Park District later confirmed the match’s relocation to Miami.
The match will now be hosted at Inter Miami’s home ground, the same venue where Lionel Messi plays his club football. Although Messi missed the 1-0 win over Venezuela last weekend, Argentina remains the heavy favourite. Puerto Rico, ranked 155th by FIFA, will need to produce something special to challenge Scaloni’s men.
Puerto Rico showed promise in CONCACAF qualifying with a 2-1 victory against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, ending a poor run of results. Meanwhile, Argentina have won nine of their last fourteen matches since lifting the Copa América, including comfortable results against strong South American sides.
Team News
Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Messi has rejoined the national team after featuring for Inter Miami against Atlanta United, where he scored twice in a 4-0 win. Scaloni said:
I saw Messi play on Saturday. From what I know, he finished well. If he’s in condition, he’ll play tomorrow.
Scaloni also revealed plans to give some of Argentina’s younger players a chance. He said, referring to the Roma forward Matías Soulé, who has impressed in Serie A but was not called up this time.
Soule is in our sights, like Buonanotte, Garnacho, and Carboni.
Puerto Rico manager Charlie Trout will rely on Ricardo Rivera, who plays for Miami FC and has scored five goals in his last six appearances for the national team.
Possible Lineups
Argentina: Martinez; Montiel, Otamendi, Balerdi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Moreno, Mac Allister; Simeone, Gonzalez; Lopez
Puerto Rico: Cutler; Hernandez, Cardona, Calderon, Paris; Echeverria, O’Neill, Diaz, Ydrach, W. Rivera; Antonetti
As posted on Argentina’s official X account, Lionel Scaloni, the mastermind behind Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph, kicked off a press conference setting the stage for an intriguing friendly match against Puerto Rico.
SoftFootball’s Prediction
La Albiceleste’s quality should shine in Miami, even without Messi getting to start. Puerto Rico will likely defend deep, but Argentina’s attack and passing rhythm should be too much to handle.
Prediction: Argentina 4–0 Puerto Rico.
