Soccer

Injured Messi ruled out of World Cup qualifiers against Brazil, Uruguay

18 March 2025 - 10:40 By Anita Kobylinska
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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi reacts after scoring a goal against Atlanta United in their Major League Soccer match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday. The star felt muscle discomfort shortly afterwards.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi reacts after scoring a goal against Atlanta United in their Major League Soccer match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday. The star felt muscle discomfort shortly afterwards.
Image: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images-Reuters

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.

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

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