BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Lionel Messi will be absent from Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil, reportedly due to a muscle injury. The decision was confirmed as coach Lionel Scaloni did not list the 37-year-old star in the 25-man squad announced Monday.
Reports from Argentine media suggest Messi suffered discomfort in his left thigh during Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Atlanta United in a recent Major League Soccer match. However, the Argentine Football Association has not provided details on the specifics of his current absence.
Argentina, currently leading the South American qualifiers, is set to face second-place Uruguay on Friday, followed by a home game against Brazil four days later at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Additional players missing from the roster for these potentially decisive matches include Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Montiel, and Giovani Lo Celso.
Coach Scaloni made further adjustments to the team by dropping Alejandro Garnacho and Claudio Echeverri, who were part of the broader squad announced earlier this month on March 2.
Throughout the season, Messi’s appearances have been intermittent due to injury risks, as noted by Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. After missing three recent games, Messi made a comeback last Thursday for the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 match against Cavalier SC.
Although deemed fit for Sunday’s game against Atlanta by Mascherano, Messi managed to score in the 20th minute before his injury re-emerged. This ongoing situation leaves fans and the team wary of his status moving forward.
