By BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina’s national team announced its squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers on Monday, with captain Lionel Messi notably absent from the list. The Inter Miami star continues to recover from a right ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final.
Messi, who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, has yet to return to action since the injury. The 36-year-old forward was forced to watch from the sidelines as Inter Miami was eliminated from the Leagues Cup 2024 in the Round of 16 by reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew.
The Argentina Football Association (AFA) released the following squad for the September 2024 World Cup qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
– Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven)
– Geronimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille)
– Juan Musso (Atalanta)
– Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Defenders:
– Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla)
– Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
– Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
– German Pezzella (River Plate)
– Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica)
– Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)
– Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
– Valentin Barco (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Midfielders:
– Leandro Paredes (AS Roma)
– Guido Rodriguez (West Ham United)
– Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
– Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
– Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur)
– Ezequiel Fernandez (Al Qadsah)
– Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards:
– Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina)
– Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
– Matias Soule (AS Roma)
– Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid)
– Valentin Carboni (Olympique Marseille)
– Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
– Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
– Valentin Castellanos (Lazio)
Messi’s absence raises questions about his availability for upcoming Major League Soccer (MLS) matches with Inter Miami. When the ankle ligament injury was initially diagnosed, Inter Miami did not provide a specific timeline for his recovery, stating only that he would be assessed regularly.
The impact of Messi’s absence extends beyond the national team. Inter Miami currently holds a five-point lead atop the MLS Eastern Conference and a four-point advantage in the race for the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record. With nine games remaining in the regular season, Inter Miami appears well-positioned to secure a playoff berth.
However, the team faces a delicate balancing act. While fans eagerly anticipate Messi’s return for a potential MLS Cup push, the club must also maintain its strong position in the standings to ensure the most favorable playoff seeding possible.
The World Cup qualifiers represent the start of Argentina’s campaign to defend their title at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Despite Messi’s absence, the squad remains formidable, featuring key players from top European clubs.
As Argentina prepares for these crucial matches, the football world will be watching closely to see how the team performs without their talismanic captain. Meanwhile, Inter Miami and MLS fans alike will be monitoring Messi’s recovery progress, hoping for a swift return to action in the final stretch of the MLS season.
