Football fans around the world were dealt a blow today as Argentina’s football legend Lionel Messi was officially ruled out of the national team’s upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil. The 37-year-old superstar, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, will miss the crucial fixtures due to a low-grade adductor injury sustained during a recent match with his club, Inter Miami.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed Messi’s absence on Monday, March 17, when head coach Lionel Scaloni announced a 26-man squad for the games without the iconic No. 10. Reports indicate that Messi experienced discomfort in his left adductor muscle during Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Sunday. Despite scoring in the 20th minute and playing the full 90 minutes, the injury has raised concerns about his fitness as Argentina pushes to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Messi took to Instagram to express his disappointment, writing, “It’s a shame to miss these two very special matches with the national team against Uruguay and Brazil. Vamos Argentina!” The message underscored his emotional connection to the national team, with whom he won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, cementing his legacy as an Argentine hero.
The injury comes after a challenging start to the 2025 season for Messi, who had already missed three games for Inter Miami earlier this month due to muscle fatigue. He made a triumphant return last week, scoring in a 2-0 CONCACAF Champions Cup win against Cavalier FC in Jamaica. However, the latest setback has forced Argentina to adjust their plans for the high-stakes qualifiers. The team is scheduled to face second-placed Uruguay in Montevideo on Friday, March 21, before hosting fifth-placed Brazil at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, March 25.
Argentina currently leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 25 points after 12 matches, five points ahead of Uruguay. A strong performance in these upcoming games could secure their spot in the 2026 tournament, with the top six teams earning direct qualification. Despite Messi’s absence, the defending World Cup champions remain a formidable force, though they will also be without injured players Paulo Dybala (AS Roma), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), and Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate).
Messi’s injury has sparked speculation about his long-term fitness, especially given his age and the physical demands of playing for both club and country. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi’s with Argentina, had previously emphasized the importance of managing the veteran’s workload to prevent injuries. “We didn’t want to risk it,” Mascherano said earlier this month when Messi was rested for a game against Charlotte FC. However, Sunday’s match against Atlanta appears to have pushed Messi’s body beyond its current limits.
Fans have expressed a mix of concern and optimism online. Some see this as an opportunity for Argentina to test their depth against two of South America’s toughest opponents, with one X user noting, “It could be beneficial in the long-term for Argentina because they will have to learn how to play without him sooner rather than later.” Others, however, lamented the absence of a potential showdown between Messi and Brazil’s returning star Neymar, who is back in the Seleção squad for the first time since October 2023 after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury.