Messi left out of Argentina’s next World Cup qualifiers

Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami player, will not be included in Argentina’s World Cup qualifying team for their next two games.

The 37-year-old reportedly picked up an injury during Sunday’s game but made a return to Miami’s starting lineup for their Major League Soccer victory over Atlanta United.

Before coming off the bench and scoring in last week’s Concacaf Champions Cup victory over Jamaican side Cavalier, Messi was forced to play three games for Miami.

With Uruguay and Brazil as their hosts, Argentina will face off in this round of games to ensure qualification for the following year’s World Cup.

With six games left, they are five points clear of Uruguay in South America’s 10-team qualifying group, with Brazil still one point behind.

While the seventh-placed team enters a play-off, the top six automatically advance to the 2026 World Cup.

Messi now has six goals in the top 12 rounds, bringing his total to 112 from 191 international starts.

Gonzalo Montiel and Paulo Dybala, both injured, will not play for Argentina in the absence of the River Plate full-back.