MONTEVIDEO, March 18, 2025 – Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers this month after sustaining a groin strain during Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta at the weekend, his club confirmed on Monday.
Messi has been excluded from Argentina’s squad for the crucial match against Uruguay on Friday, followed by a highly anticipated clash with Brazil on March 25.
Inter Miami issued a statement revealing that a scan had confirmed Messi suffered a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle” during the match on Sunday. The club did not provide a specific timeline for his return, stating that his recovery progress and response to treatment would determine when he could return to action.
After missing three games earlier this month, the 37-year-old Messi had made a comeback in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, scoring a goal as a substitute.
The defending World Cup champions, Argentina, have the opportunity to secure their place in next year’s tournament during their next two matches. They currently lead the South American qualifiers with a five-point advantage over second-place Uruguay ahead of their encounter in Montevideo.
The top six teams in the South American qualification group will secure automatic spots for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the seventh-placed team currently being Bolivia on 13 points.
Messi is currently the top scorer in the South American qualifiers with six goals after 12 rounds.
In addition to Messi’s absence, Argentina will also be without injured Roma striker Paulo Dybala and River Plate full-back Paulo Montiel for the upcoming fixtures.
Meanwhile, Brazil, currently in fifth place and seven points behind Argentina, will also be missing their star forward Neymar, who is sidelined with a thigh injury and has had to delay his return to international duty.
Argentina Squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, ENG), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille, FRA), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven, NED).
Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille, FRA), Cristian Romero (Tottenham, ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, POR), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon, FRA), Facundo Medina (Lens, FRA), Juan Foyth (Villarreal, ESP), German Pezzella (River Plate).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma, ITA), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool, ENG), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, GER), Maximo Perrone (Como, ITA), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea, ENG), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Benjamin Dominguez (Bologne, ITA), Thiago Almada (Lyon, FRA).
Forwards: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, ITA), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid, ESP), Nicolas Paz (Como, ITA), Santiago Castro (Bologna, ITA), Nicolas Gonzalez (Juventus, ITA).
Argentina’s qualification bid remains strong, but Messi’s absence adds a level of uncertainty ahead of these crucial fixtures. As the South American qualifiers draw closer to the final rounds, every match becomes a critical opportunity for teams to secure their spots at the World Cup.
