The president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio Tapia, has confirmed that Lionel Messi can play in their opening 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier next month.
Tapia explained that the statute of limitations (barring him from playing) has run out on the ban he was given during last year’s Copa America
Messi was banned for one match, after receiving a red card in the Copa America third-place playoff against Chile.
The 33-year-old afterwards alleged that South American football chiefs were corrupt.
Messi was expected to miss Argentina’s qualifier against Ecuador on October 8 in Buenos Aires.
However, Tapia has consulted with South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) President Alejandro Dominguez, for clarifications.
“He confirmed that the statute of limitations had expired and that he (Messi) is able to play,” Tapia was quoted as saying by AFA on Twitter.
