MONTEVIDEO: 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 groin 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.

Inter Miami said in a statement that a scan had revealed Messi suffered a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle” in the win on Sunday. The statement gave no timetable for Messi’s return.

“His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition,” Inter said.

After missing three games for Inter earlier this month, the 37-year-old returned with a goal off the bench in a CONCACAF Champions Cup win.

As a consequence, Messi was left out of the Argentina squad on Monday, and will remain in the United States to recover.

Argentina, who lead the CONMEBOL qualifying standings with 25 points after 12 games, travel to second-placed Uruguay on Friday.

They then host a Brazil side, on March 25, 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.

Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, can ensure qualification for next year’s tournament in their next two games.

They lead the 10-team South American qualifying group by five points ahead of the game with Uruguay in Montevideo.

The top six teams qualify directly for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The seventh-placed team is currently Bolivia with 13 points.

After 12 rounds, Messi is the top scorer in the competition with six goals.

Argentina are also without injured AS Roma striker Paulo Dybala and River Plate full-back Paulo Montiel.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2025