Lionel Messi withdraws from Argentina squad due to minor injury

Messi was not named in La Albiceleste’s final squad for their March matches.

Lionel Messi did not make the final squad on Monday due to an injury that was reported inside the previous 24 hours. He will not be playing for Argentina in their World Cup qualifying matches against Brazil and Uruguay this month.

Messi got an MRI on Monday, according to his club Inter Miami, after experiencing adductor pain during Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United FC.

“Messi underwent an MRI this morning to assess the extent of the discomfort in his adductor region, which he experienced during last night’s match against Atlanta United,” Miami said in a statement. “The examination’s findings confirmed the presence of a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle. His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition.”

Additionally, Messi shared the following remark on Instagram: “It’s a shame to miss these special games with the Argentinian national team against Brazil and Uruguay. Like always, I wanted to be there but at the last minute an injury that isn’t that important forced me to stop for a while before returning to play kept me out. But I will be supporting and cheering from here like a fan. Let’s go Argentina!”

Despite worries about his physical condition, the 37-year-old was included in Argentina’s provisional 33-player roster on March 2. Due to load management, Messi missed three Inter Miami games before making a comeback on Thursday as a substitute in the team’s Concacaf Champions Cup victory over Cavalier FC.

Before the team’s encounter against Houston Dynamo FC on March 2, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano revealed Messi would be rested due to load management following a hectic start to the 2025 MLS season with three games in seven days.

Mascherano stressed at the time that Messi had not been hurt and was only being rested as a precaution before a demanding season that would also involve playing in the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup this summer.

After playing all ninety minutes and scoring a good goal against Atlanta United on Sunday, Messi was predicted to be included in the most recent Argentina team.

It is now hoped that Messi will play for Inter Miami again on March 29 against the Philadelphia Union in an MLS regular season match.

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