Lionel Messi forced to withdraw from World Cup qualifiers with injury
Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil with an adductor injury.
The 37-year-old was not included in the 25-man squad announced on Monday by coach Lionel Scaloni.
Later, Inter Miami said Messi underwent an MRI to assess the extent of his injury suffered in Sunday’s win over Atlanta United.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The examination’s findings confirmed the presence of a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle,” Inter Miami said. “His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition.”
Argentina visit second-placed Uruguay on Friday and host fifth-placed Brazil four days later at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Messi was not the only absentee for the two matches that could seal Argentina’s qualification.
Also ruled out were Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Montiel and Giovani Lo Celso.
Scaloni dropped Alejandro Garnacho and Claudio Echeverri from the larger squad announced on March 2.
Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, has been sidelined several times by Inter Miami this season because of injury concerns.
