Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers after suffering a groin strain during Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Sunday. The injury was confirmed by Inter Miami on Monday, ruling the 37-year-old superstar out of Argentina’s crucial matches against Uruguay and Brazil this month.
A scan revealed that Messi sustained a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle,” according to a statement from Inter Miami. The club did not provide a specific timeline for his return, stating that his availability for future matches would depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment.
Messi’s absence is a significant blow for Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, as they seek to secure their place in the 2026 tournament. Argentina currently leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 25 points, five points ahead of second-placed Uruguay. The top six teams in the group will qualify directly for the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Messi, who is the top scorer in the qualifiers with six goals, will be sorely missed as Argentina faces Uruguay in Montevideo on Friday, followed by a showdown with Brazil on March 25. The Albiceleste will also be without injured Roma striker Paulo Dybala and River Plate full-back Paulo Montiel.
Brazil, meanwhile, will be without their star forward Neymar, who has been ruled out due to a thigh injury. The Seleção are currently fifth in the qualifying group, seven points behind Argentina.
Argentina 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)
Despite Messi’s absence, Argentina remains in a strong position to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. However, the team will need to navigate challenging matches against Uruguay and Brazil without their talismanic captain.
