Argentina’s hopes for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia will be without their star player, Lionel Messi. The 37-year-old legend, who recently led Argentina to victory in the Copa America final, is sidelined due to a right ankle ligament injury.
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Messi’s Injury Update
Messi sustained the injury in last month’s Copa America final, where his crucial role helped Argentina secure a win over Colombia. Despite the severity of the injury, there are positive signs of recovery. According to reports, Messi is currently undergoing individual training sessions, though no specific return date has been set.
Argentina’s Squad Without Messi
Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, announced the 28-man squad for the upcoming qualifiers on Monday. The squad will face Chile on September 5 and Colombia on September 10. Notably, Messi’s absence will be felt, but the team still boasts a strong lineup.
Key Players Missing
In addition to Messi, 36-year-old Ángel Di María, who retired from international duty after winning the recent Copa America, will also not feature in the squad. Di María’s absence marks a significant change in the team’s attacking options.
Argentina’s Current Standing
Despite the absence of key players, Argentina remains at the top of the South American qualifying standings with 15 points after six matches. The team has shown resilience and depth, which they will need to maintain in the upcoming games without their talisman.
Full Argentina Squad for the World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers:
- Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven)
- Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille)
- Juan Musso (Atalanta)
- Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
Defenders:
- Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla)
- Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
- Cristian Romero (Tottenham)
- Germán Pezzella (River Plate)
- Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille)
- Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)
- Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)
- Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon)
- Valentín Barco (Brighton)
Midfielders:
- Leandro Paredes (Roma)
- Guido Rodríguez (West Ham)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
- Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)
- Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham)
- Ezequiel Fernández (Al Qadisiya)
- Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid)
- Nico González (Fiorentina)
Forwards:
- Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
- Matías Soulé (Roma)
- Giuliano Simeone, Julián Álvarez (Atletico Madrid)
- Valentín Carboni (Olympique Marseille)
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)
- Valentín Castellanos (Lazio)
As Argentina prepares for crucial World Cup qualifiers, the absence of Lionel Messi due to injury is a significant setback. However, with a strong squad and top form in the qualifiers so far, Argentina remains a formidable force on the path to the 2026 World Cup. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team performs without their iconic captain.
