Lionel Messi was not included in Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil, with the forward missing out due to a muscle strain.
Messi scored a stunning goal in Inter Miami's 2-1 win at Atlanta United in Major League Soccer on Sunday but felt a muscle discomfort, local media reported.
As a consequence, the 37-year-old was left out of the Argentina squad on Monday, and will remain in the US to recover.
Lionel Andres Messi ✨🐐 pic.twitter.com/WqYoIZNPEv
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 16, 2025
Argentina, who lead the Conmebol qualifying standings with 25 points after 12 games, travel to second-placed Uruguay on Friday.
On March 25 they host a Brazil without forward Neymar, who was set to make his return to the national team after more than a year but has been ruled out after sustaining a muscle injury.
Reuters
