Messi Left Out of Argentina’s World Cup Qualifiers Due to Injury
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers after sustaining a minor adductor injury. The 37-year-old returned to Miami’s starting lineup for their MLS win over Atlanta United but reportedly aggravated the muscle during the match. Following an evaluation, the club confirmed that Messi had suffered a low-grade injury, prompting Argentina’s coaching staff to exclude him from the squad. Prior to this setback, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had been rested for three matches before making a scoring return in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Jamaican side Cavalier. Argentina now faces a crucial phase in their qualifying campaign as they prepare to visit Uruguay and host Brazil, two of their fiercest rivals. With six matches remaining, the defending champions hold a commanding five-point lead over Uruguay at the top of the standings, while Brazil lags seven points behind in fifth place.
Argentina’s squad will also be without key players Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Montiel, both sidelined due to injuries. Despite these absences, Argentina remains well-positioned to secure early qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Messi has been instrumental in their campaign, leading the scoring charts with six goals in 12 matches, taking his international tally to 112 goals in 191 appearances. His absence presents an opportunity for other players to step up, as Argentina looks to maintain their dominance in South American qualifiers. Meanwhile, Brazil is also dealing with a significant setback, as former Barcelona star Neymar has been ruled out due to a thigh injury. The 33-year-old, who had been eyeing a return to international duty, will have to wait for another opportunity to rejoin the squad.
The absence of both Messi and Neymar adds intrigue to an already competitive qualification race. While Argentina looks to solidify their position at the top, other teams will aim to close the gap and capitalize on the situation. The top six teams in South America’s qualification table will earn automatic spots for the World Cup, while the seventh-placed team will enter an intercontinental playoff. Given Argentina’s depth, they remain favorites to navigate this crucial phase successfully. Even without their iconic playmaker, their squad boasts enough talent to stay on course for qualification. However, with Uruguay and Brazil eager to challenge their dominance, these upcoming fixtures will be pivotal in determining their path to the 2026 tournament.
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