Rodrigo De Paul was left out of Argentina's first two post-World Cup friendlies and called up only for Lionel Messi's farewell against Benin on 6 October. La Nación reported that the decision reflected his loss of place in the team's established core.
However, Lionel Scaloni stressed that the door remained open for his return. Argentina beat Bolivia 4-0 and Burkina Faso 7-0 without the Inter Miami midfielder.
Why De Paul Was Left Out of the Bolivia and Burkina Faso Games
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said Messi, De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso would join the squad only for the final friendly of the window. It did not explain why.
Scaloni later clarified the decision after a training session at Ezeiza, saying the coaching staff wanted to give other players an opportunity in the first two matches.
“They come only for the last game because we want to see other kids, as happened with Fideo,” he said in comments quoted by La Nación. Scaloni added that “the doors are not closed under any circumstances.”
La Nación said De Paul's absence was a sporting decision, with no injury or suspension involved.
It also reported that De Paul's camp said he had never considered retiring from the national team, had accepted the decision, and planned to work toward reversing it.
Argentina played Burkina Faso at El Monumental on 3 October after the win over Bolivia in Córdoba.
Speaking after the 7-0 win, Scaloni said it was necessary to keep changing after eight years and named Nico Paz and Gianluca Prestianni among the young players who had taken their chances.
How De Paul's Role Changed Before and During the World Cup
De Paul is the player who holds the most appearances in the Scaloni era and part of the side that won four trophies. Scaloni gave him his debut during his interim spell in 2018.
After leaving Atlético Madrid, De Paul joined Inter Miami on loan in July 2025 before the club made the move permanent later that year, signing him to a contract through 2029. He scored the winning goal against Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2025 MLS Cup final.
Before moving, he asked Scaloni whether leaving for another league could hurt his chances. "As long as you play and you are physically well, I already know what kind of player you are," De Paul said the coach told him.
La Nación argues that De Paul's game relies heavily on running, intensity, and physical rhythm, which the newspaper believes is harder to maintain in MLS than in Spain.
Scaloni has not said that De Paul's move to Inter Miami cost him his place in the national team.
In the warm-up matches before the World Cup, De Paul played 45 minutes against Mauritania in a largely rotated side and 37 against Zambia, while Paredes started in his position alongside the regulars.
At the tournament, he started almost every match, but never completed one and was substituted in the second half every time, including the final against Spain. La Nación adds that Scaloni never seriously considered leaving him out of the squad.
What Comes Next for De Paul and Argentina's Midfield
The Benin match at El Monumental is Messi's last for Argentina. He announced his retirement on 31 August, weeks after the World Cup final defeat to Spain.
La Nación says the coaching staff will reconsider De Paul only if he raises his level considerably and regains competitive rhythm. It also describes his return to the national team as looking distant.
At 32, De Paul could still be in good condition for the 2028 Copa América and 2030 World Cup. During a training session at Ezeiza, Exequiel Palacios, Valentín Barco, and Franco Mastantuono emerged as options in the position he has occupied.
The next checkpoint after Benin is the November international window.
