Lionel Messi, the star forward for the Argentina national team, has been excluded from the upcoming CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. This decision comes as Messi continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained during the Copa América final in July. The injury, which occurred in the first half of the final match, forced Messi to leave the field in the 66th minute. It was later confirmed that he had suffered ligament damage and would be sidelined indefinitely.
With Messi’s absence, Argentina national team head coach, Lionel Scaloni, will have to rely on other players to step up in the upcoming qualifiers. The team is set to face Chile on September 5 in Buenos Aires and Colombia on September 10 in Bogotá. Despite Messi’s absence, Argentina is currently leading the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with 15 points from six games. Colombia is in third place with 12 points, while Chile is struggling in eighth place with just five points.
Scaloni has named his squad for the upcoming qualifiers, which includes a mix of experienced and young players. The squad features goalkeepers such as Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, and defenders like Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, and Nicolás Tagliafico. In the midfield, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, and Giovani Lo Celso will be key players for Argentina. Upfront, Lautaro Martínez and Nicolás González will be tasked with leading the attack in Messi’s absence.
The top six teams in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers will secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The seventh-placed team will advance to a playoff round for a chance to secure a spot in the tournament. With Messi sidelined, it will be crucial for Argentina to perform well in the upcoming qualifiers to maintain their position at the top of the standings.
Lionel Messi’s absence from the Argentina national team roster is a significant blow, but it also presents an opportunity for other players to showcase their talent and step up in his absence. The upcoming qualifiers will be a test of Argentina’s depth and resilience as they aim to secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup.