Messi Injured as Argentina Aim to Secure World Cup Qualification

Messi to Miss Argentina’s World Cup Qualifiers Due to Groin Injury

Lionel Messi will be sidelined for Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers after sustaining a groin strain during Inter Miami’s weekend victory over Atlanta, the club confirmed on Monday.

Messi was omitted from Argentina’s squad for their match against Uruguay on Friday, followed by a crucial clash with Brazil on March 25. Inter Miami released a statement revealing that scans showed a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle” sustained during Sunday’s 2-1 win. However, no timeline for his return was provided.

“His availability for competition will depend on his recovery and response to treatment,” the club stated.

Earlier this month, the 37-year-old missed three matches for Inter but made a return with a goal off the bench in a CONCACAF Champions Cup game.

As defending World Cup champions, Argentina can secure their place in next year’s tournament with positive results in the next two fixtures. They currently lead the 10-team South American qualifying table by five points ahead of the Uruguay match in Montevideo.

The top six teams will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Bolivia, sitting in seventh place with 13 points, currently holds the intercontinental playoff spot.

After 12 rounds, Messi remains the competition’s top scorer with six goals.

In addition to Messi, Argentina will also be without injured Roma forward Paulo Dybala and River Plate full-back Paulo Montiel. Meanwhile, Brazil will be missing 33-year-old Neymar, who has suffered a thigh injury and delayed his return to international play. Brazil currently sits in fifth place, seven points behind Argentina.

Argentina’s Squad for World Cup Qualifiers:

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, ENG), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille, FRA), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven, NED).

Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille, FRA), Cristian Romero (Tottenham, ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, POR), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon, FRA), Facundo Medina (Lens, FRA), Juan Foyth (Villarreal, ESP), German Pezzella (River Plate).

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma, ITA), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, ENG), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, GER), Maximo Perrone (Como, ITA), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea, ENG), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Benjamin Dominguez (Bologna, ITA), Thiago Almada (Lyon, FRA).

Forwards: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, ITA), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Nicolas Paz (Como, ITA), Santiago Castro (Bologna, ITA), Nicolas Gonzalez (Juventus, ITA).