Argentina’s national team will have to navigate their upcoming World Cup qualifiers without their captain and talisman, Lionel Messi. The 37-year-old Inter Miami forward has been omitted from the squad due to a reported injury, dealing a significant blow to the reigning world champions as they prepare to face Uruguay and Brazil.
Lionel Messi will not be part of Argentina's squad due to discomfort felt after Inter Miami's win over Atlanta United ❌🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/wEdC7GIRqC
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) March 17, 2025
Messi’s Absence: Injury Concerns for Argentina
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, recently returned to action for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer following a brief spell on the sidelines. However, he appeared to have sustained an adductor muscle strain during Miami’s victory over Atlanta United. The club later confirmed that the Argentine star is dealing with a “low-grade” muscular injury, prompting caution over his fitness.
Prior to this setback, Messi had already missed three games for Miami before making a substitute appearance in the Concacaf Champions Cup, where he made an immediate impact by scoring against Jamaican side Cavalier. Despite his recent return to the pitch, concerns over his physical condition have ultimately led to his omission from Argentina’s squad for this crucial phase of qualifying.
Argentina’s Position in World Cup Qualification
Currently leading South America’s 10-team World Cup qualifying group, Argentina holds a five-point advantage over Uruguay with six matches remaining. Their impressive run puts them on the brink of securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The top six teams in the group will qualify directly, while the seventh-placed nation must navigate an intercontinental play-off to secure a spot in the tournament. With Brazil currently sitting in fifth place, seven points behind Argentina, the upcoming fixtures carry immense significance for all teams involved.
Key Absences for Argentina and Brazil
Alongside Messi, Argentina will also be without Roma striker Paulo Dybala and River Plate full-back Gonzalo Montiel, both of whom are sidelined due to injuries. Their absence leaves head coach Lionel Scaloni with important selection decisions as he seeks to maintain Argentina’s dominance in the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Brazil will be missing Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Neymar. The 33-year-old forward has been ruled out due to a thigh injury, denying him the opportunity to feature in the high-profile encounter against Argentina. With both teams forced to adjust their line-ups, the stage is set for a fiercely contested battle between two of South America’s footballing giants.
Messi’s International Legacy Continues to Grow
Despite his absence from these qualifiers, Messi remains a central figure in Argentina’s footballing history. He currently leads the scoring charts in the South American qualifiers with six goals and has amassed a staggering 112 goals in 191 international appearances. His leadership and experience will be missed in the upcoming matches, but Argentina will look to maintain their strong form in his absence.
With crucial fixtures against Uruguay and Brazil looming, all eyes will be on how Argentina responds without their captain. As they edge closer to securing their place at the 2026 World Cup, the challenge now lies in proving they can triumph even without their most iconic player.
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🚨 Lionel Messi on Instagram: "I'm sad to miss these important games against Uruguay and Brazil with the national team. I really wanted to play but a small injury means I need to rest for a bit, so I can't be there. I'll be supporting and cheering from here like any other fan.… pic.twitter.com/DdchGtv25Y
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) March 17, 2025
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s absence due to injury presents a significant challenge for Argentina as they approach key World Cup qualifiers. Despite missing their captain and top scorer, the reigning champions remain in a strong position to secure automatic qualification. With crucial fixtures against Uruguay and Brazil ahead, Argentina must rely on their squad depth to maintain their dominance in the South American standings. As the race for World Cup spots intensifies, all eyes will be on how the team adapts without their legendary No. 10.
