Lionel Messi left out of Argentina's squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers

Messi suffered an ankle injury in the Copa America final.

Lionel Scaloni has announced the Argentina squad for the September CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. However, Lionel Messi has been left out of the roster as he continues to recuperate from an ankle injury he suffered in the Copa America final against Colombia.

The Argentine stalwart couldn’t continue and had to be stretched off in the 66th minute of the game which Argentina went on to win 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Lautaro Martinez.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami confirmed that Messi suffered ligament damage and will remain on the sidelines for some time but has started working out in the gym separately. It’s still not clear when the former Barcelona star will return from injury.

Messi’s absence will be a big loss for the team but it will also give a chance to other young players to prove their mettle and get a shot at playing for the national team in the 2026 World Cup. La Albiceleste head coach has called new faces in the team.

At the moment, Argentina lead the group with 15 points, followed by Uruguay in second place with 12 and Brazil in sixth place with 7.

Scaloni will also be without Ángel Di María after he announced his retirement ahead of the Copa América campaign. The coach included Julián Álvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez and Lautaro Martínez as his attacking options in the latest squad.

Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille) Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven), Juan Musso (Atalanta).

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Germán Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon) and Valentín Barco (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham), Guido Rodríguez (West Ham) and Ezequiel Fernández (Al-Qadsiah).

Forwards: Nicolás González (Fiorentina), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Julián Álvarez (Atletico Madrid), Matìas Soulè (Roma), Valentin Carboni (Inter Milan), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid) and Valentín Castellanos (Lazio).

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