Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil after suffering a groin strain during Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United, his club confirmed on Monday.
Messi, 37, was left out of the Argentina squad after medical scans revealed a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle.” Inter Miami, in a statement, did not provide a timeline for his return, stating that his availability for future matches will depend on his response to treatment.
The absence of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is a significant blow to Argentina as they seek to secure an early ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Argentina currently leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with a five-point advantage.
Impact on Argentina’s Squad
Messi’s injury adds to Argentina’s growing list of absentees. Roma forward Paulo Dybala and River Plate full-back Paulo Montiel are also ruled out due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, Argentina will rely on a strong squad featuring key players such as Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, and Alexis Mac Allister.
The world champions face Uruguay in Montevideo on Friday, followed by a high-stakes clash against Brazil on March 25. Their Brazilian rivals will also be without star forward Neymar, who is sidelined with a long-term thigh injury.
Messi, who remains the top scorer in South American qualifiers with six goals, had just returned from a previous injury layoff, scoring off the bench in a recent CONCACAF Champions Cup match for Inter Miami. His absence raises concerns about Argentina’s attacking prowess in the upcoming fixtures.
With only six games remaining in the qualifiers, Argentina is in a strong position to secure a direct World Cup spot. The top six teams automatically qualify, while the seventh-placed team—currently Bolivia—will enter an intercontinental playoff.
Argentina’s Squad for the Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven).
Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Facundo Medina (Lens), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Germán Pezzella (River Plate).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Máximo Perrone (Como), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Benjamin Domínguez (Bologna), Thiago Almada (Lyon).
Forwards: Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Ángel Correa (Atlético Madrid), Nicolás Paz (Como), Santiago Castro (Bologna), Nicolás González (Juventus).
As Argentina prepares for two critical fixtures, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the team performs in Messi’s absence.
