Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to a muscle injury. This absence is a significant blow to the national team as they aim to secure their spot in the upcoming tournament.
The 37-year-old superstar was left out of the 25-man squad revealed by coach Lionel Scaloni on Monday, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Reports from Argentine media indicate that Messi sustained a sore left thigh during Inter Miami’s recent 2-1 win over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer on Sunday.
Despite the speculation, the Argentine Football Association has not officially commented on the reasons behind his absence.
Argentina, currently leading the South American qualifiers, will face second-placed Uruguay on Friday before hosting fifth-placed Brazil at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires four days later.
Messi is not the only key player missing from these crucial matches; Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Montiel, and Giovani Lo Celso have also been ruled out.
Additionally, coach Scaloni has opted to exclude Alejandro Garnacho and Claudio Echeverri from the larger squad announced earlier this month.
Messi, a World Cup champion, has faced multiple injury-related absences this season, according to Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
This month alone, Messi missed three games but made a return on Thursday for the CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 match against Cavalier SC.
Mascherano confirmed that Messi was fit to start against Atlanta, where he scored in the 20th minute before suffering the reported injury.
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