Lionel Messi, the star forward of Argentina’s national team, has been notably left off the latest roster for the upcoming CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers due to an ankle injury sustained during the Copa América final. Messi injured his right ankle during the final match and despite attempting to play through the pain, he was eventually substituted in the 66th minute. Inter Miami CF confirmed that Messi had suffered ligament damage and would be out indefinitely as he focused on his recovery.
With Messi unavailable for selection, Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, will need to rely on other players to step up during the upcoming matches against Chile and Colombia. The absence of Messi, as well as Ángel Di María who recently announced his retirement, poses a significant challenge for the team as they strive to maintain their lead in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.
In the absence of Messi and Di María, Scaloni has included players such as Nicolás González, Lautaro Martínez, and Julián Álvarez in the squad as attacking options. The squad also features a mix of experienced players and promising talents across different positions, highlighting the depth of talent available to the national team.
Argentina currently leads the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers standings with 15 points from six games, positioning them well for direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. However, with tough matches against Chile and Colombia on the horizon, Scaloni will need to ensure that the team can perform at a high level even in the absence of key players like Messi and Di María.
The latest Argentina squad includes goalkeepers such as Emiliano Martínez and Gerónimo Rulli, defenders like Nicolás Otamendi and Germán Pezzella, midfielders such as Leandro Paredes and Gioavni Lo Celso, as well as forwards like Lautaro Martínez and Nicolás González. The squad represents a blend of experience and youth, giving Scaloni different options to choose from as he prepares for the upcoming qualifiers.
While the absence of Lionel Messi from the Argentina national team roster is a significant loss, it also provides an opportunity for other players to showcase their talent and contribute to the team’s success. Scaloni will need to make strategic decisions and work with the available squad to navigate through the challenges ahead and secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup.