TThe Argentina national team’s final friendly match against Zambia ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was special not only because it ended in a crushing 5-0 defeat, and because it was Lionel Messi and the team’s last match on their home soil, but also because it was a return to the stadium where the players grew up.
The match took place at La Bombonera Stadium, a venue Barenton Barco has not returned to since leaving Boca Juniors for Brighton in January 2024. This time he returned, wearing Albiceleste colors, scoring a goal and speaking about his experience after the match.
Barco explains how he complements Messi on the pitch
The current Racing Strasbourg player came on in the second half of the game against Zambia and had an unforgettable night. Not only did he score his first goal with the Argentina national team at La Bombonera Stadium (he played 17 times for Boca, scoring 2 goals), he also experienced what it meant to play alongside Lionel Messi and the influence the captain had on him.
“El Coro” Barco said, “Messi is the best player of all time. Every ball he touches improves the attack. If he’s next to you, you have to pass the ball to him,” emphasizing the ease and effectiveness of passing the ball to the star players he is close to.
In fact, it was No. 10 who started the play that led to Ballenton’s goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
‘El Coro’ made his debut with the Argentine national team on March 22, 2024, against El Salvador, but that goal did not materialize until yesterday’s half-time when coach Lionel Scaloni instructed him to come on in the second half and play alongside the legendary captain.
Later, when asked about the possibility of being included in Argentina’s final squad for the 2026 World Cup, Barenton remained calm and humbly said: “I don’t know.
“I’m living day to day like I always do. I’m trying to do my best at the club to come here. These guys here are world champions, they’re all elite. Logically they’re the best national team in the world and we have the toughest squad in the world,” he added.
As a new generation quickly adapts to the leadership of a great star like Lionel, Argentina continues to build a solid project where experience and youth coexist towards a common goal: to continue to compete at the highest level.
Now, Argentina will emerge as the defending champions and must defend their title in the new tournament to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11th to July 19th. In Group J, they will face Algeria on Tuesday, June 16th at Kansas City Stadium. They will then face Austria on Monday, June 22nd at Dallas Stadium, and Jordan on Saturday, June 27th.
