Argentina faces World Cup Qualifiers without injured Messi

Argentina will be without their star player, Lionel Messi, for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil due to a suspected injury.

The 37-year-old football legend sustained the injury during a club match, forcing him to miss two crucial games for the reigning world champions.

Messi, who recently returned from a muscle injury, came off the bench to score in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match for Inter Miami.

However, after playing a full 90 minutes and scoring in Sunday’s Major League Soccer (MLS) victory against Atlanta, he reportedly experienced muscle soreness, leading to his exclusion from Argentina’s squad.

The Argentine team, currently leading the South American qualifying group with a five-point advantage over Uruguay, will face their rivals in Montevideo on Friday before hosting Brazil in Buenos Aires on March 25.

A win in both games would secure their place in the next World Cup.

Alongside Messi, Argentina will also be without River Plate full-back Paulo Montiel and Roma forward Paulo Dybala.

Meanwhile, Brazil, sitting in fifth place and seven points behind Argentina, will miss the services of Neymar, who is still recovering from a thigh injury.

Despite Messi’s absence, Argentina’s squad remains strong, featuring top players like Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, and Lautaro Martinez.