Messi’s Fate Hangs in the Balance: Injury Forces Superstar to Miss Crucial World Cup Qualifiers Against Uruguay and Brazil

Lionel Messi to Miss 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with Adductor Injury

Argentina’s star footballer, Lionel Messi, will be sidelined for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil due to an adductor injury. The 37-year-old was conspicuously absent from Argentina’s 25-man squad announced by coach Lionel Scaloni.

The injury occurred during Inter Miami’s recent MLS match against Atlanta United on Sunday. Following the game, the club confirmed that Messi underwent an MRI scan to assess the extent of the discomfort in his adductor region. According to Inter Miami, the scan results revealed a low-grade muscle injury, with his return to action dependent on his recovery progress.

Initial reports from Argentine media suggested that Messi experienced soreness in his left thigh during Inter Miami’s 2-1 win.

Argentina currently leads the South American World Cup qualifiers and will face second-placed Uruguay on Friday before hosting fifth-placed Brazil four days later at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Besides Messi, several key players, including Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Montiel, and Giovani Lo Celso, have been ruled out due to injuries. Additionally, coach Scaloni has omitted Alejandro Garnacho and Claudio Echeverri from the final squad.

As the world’s greatest footballer and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, Messi has faced numerous injury setbacks this season with Inter Miami. He earlier this month missed three matches before making his return in Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match against Cavalier SC. His availability for future matches will depend on his response to treatment.

Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/international/lionel-messi-to-miss-world-cup-qualifiers-against-uruguay-brazil-due-to-injury
Category : International
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Publish Date: 2025-03-19 12:19:00