Messi to Miss Argentina's World Cup Qualifiers After Injury in Inter Miami Victory
Lionel Messi will be absent from Argentina's upcoming World Cup qualifying matches after picking up an injury during Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Atlanta United on Sunday night. The 37-year-old forward has been ruled out for the matches against Uruguay on Friday and Brazil on March 25, as confirmed by Argentina’s roster announcement on Monday.
The injury occurred in the 64th minute of the match against Atlanta, when Messi seemed to experience discomfort in his left adductor muscle after missing a shot on goal. Following the game, Messi underwent an MRI, which confirmed the injury, although Inter Miami has yet to comment officially on the situation.
Despite the injury, Messi made his mark in the match by scoring the equalizer for Inter Miami in the 20th minute. Fafa Picault later scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute, securing the victory for Miami. This goal came after Messi had returned to action just days earlier, having been sidelined due to early-season fatigue. He had made his comeback on Thursday, playing as a substitute and scoring in Miami's 2-0 win over Cavalier FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16.
This recent injury has raised concerns about Messi’s fitness, as he had already missed three consecutive games in early March due to what the club described as fatigue management. Despite this, manager Javier Mascherano had reassured the media that Messi’s absences were not due to any serious injury but were precautionary measures to manage his workload after a hectic start to the season, which included both MLS matches and Concacaf Champions Cup commitments.
However, Messi’s absence from the Argentine national team for the crucial World Cup qualifiers has left fans concerned. Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, named his 26-man squad for the upcoming matches, and Messi’s name was notably missing. Though the player has always shown immense dedication to representing his country, this latest injury may force him to focus on recovery before returning to the pitch.
In Miami, the team will be without their star captain for the next few matches, but they are hopeful that Messi’s recovery will go smoothly. Inter Miami’s next fixture is against the Philadelphia Union on March 29, giving Messi some time to rest and recuperate before his next appearance.
Messi’s absence from the Argentina squad highlights the delicate balance between club and international duties, with the veteran forward’s health being a priority as he continues to navigate a demanding schedule. Fans will be eagerly awaiting news of his recovery and hopeful for his return to both club and country as soon as possible.