Lionel Messi has been left out of the Argentina squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Messi, 37, has not played since sustaining a right ankle injury in the Copa America final on July 14. Two days after the final, in which Argentina beat Colombia 1-0, Inter Miami announced that their player had sustained ligament damage and would be out indefinitely.
Miami head coach Tata Martino said at the time that further testing was needed to determine the severity of Messi’s injury.
Just after the hour mark in last month’s Copa America final, Messi appeared to slip on the Hard Rock Stadium pitch. He signalled for medical assistance after going down and was treated on the pitch before walking off and being substituted.
After the game, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi was desperate not to come off but was left with no choice. Messi appeared emotional on the substitutes’ bench after being withdrawn but later was able to lift the trophy during Argentina’s celebrations.
Messi’s ankle after he was withdrawn from the Copa final (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Since the Copa America final, Messi has been a regular at Miami’s fixtures despite his injury. The former Barcelona forward has been pictured at Miami’s MLS game against Toronto FC, as well as their Leagues Cup matches against the Canadian side and Puebla.
Miami are top of the Eastern Conference after 25 games and are five points ahead of second-placed FC Cincinnati. Messi has only featured in 15 games for Miami this season due to Copa America participation and injuries but has still registered 14 goals and 11 assists.
Argentina, meanwhile, face Chile at home and Colombia away in 2026 World Cup qualifiers next month. Scaloni’s side are top of the CONMEBOL standings after six matches, having won five times and drawn once.
GO DEEPER
Lionel Messi and the unmistakeable sense of an ending
Argentina squad for September fixtures
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Walter Benitez (PSV), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlanta).
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), German Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Valentin Barco (Brighton).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Guido Rodriguez (West Ham), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Ezequiel Fernandez (Al Qadsiah), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico).
Forwards: Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Matias Soule (Roma), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico), Valentin Carboni (Marseille), Julian Alvarez (Atletico), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Valentin Castellanos (Lazio).
(Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
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Publish date : 2024-08-18 13:00:00
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