Lionel Messi was not included on Argentina’s final roster
Lionel Messi was not included on Argentina’s final roster announced Monday for the upcoming March CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay, and later was diagnosed with a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle, according to a statement from Inter Miami.
Two crucial matches on the Argentina team’s path to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are scheduled: a trip to Uruguay, who are in second position, on Friday, and a return home game against Brazil on March 25.
Neymar, Brazil’s star forward, will also miss the next match for the national team. After more than a year away from the national team, the Brazilian playmaker was anticipated to return to international duty, but he has been sidelined due to a muscle issue.
Played 90 minutes for Inter Miami
The Argentine scored the first goal in his comeback to the starting lineup as he played 90 minutes for Inter Miami against Atlanta United in MLS competition on Sunday night.
His “load management” had previously caused him to miss three consecutive games. He returned to the team in a CONCACAF Champions Cup cameo against Cavalier SC.
The team said Messi underwent an MRI Monday morning “to assess the extent of the discomfort in his adductor region,” which he experienced during the Atlanta match. With a confirmation of the abductor muscle injury, the club said Messi’s “clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition.”
Mascherano said ahead of Sunday’s match
“We tried to take away from the overload Messi had, so that it wouldn’t go further than that. We tried to handle it in the best way. Luckily, we were able to control it and that it didn’t turn into an injury or much more… There’s no secret in this,” Mascherano said ahead of Sunday’s match against Atlanta.
“Obviously the Argentinian national team doctors are in contact with the doctors here and they are the ones who specifically talk about that,” he said. “I haven’t spoken with the coaching staff, but if they have any consultation, I will talk to them. I don’t think it will be necessary because the doctors are in contact all time.”
Messi will not play for La Albiceleste this month after being initially included in the 33-man provisional list. Argentina has 25 points from 12 games, which puts them at top the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table.
#SelecciónMayor Nómina de convocados por Lionel Scaloni para la doble fecha de #Eliminatorias.
¡Volvemos a vernos!
pic.twitter.com/APD62lyHag
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(@Argentina) March 17, 2025
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